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After being recalled about a year ago for unusual odors, Levoxyl is set to come back on the market in March, but clinicians may not be inclined to switch back, some experts said.
Doctors spent extra time to get patients on the right dose of generic levothyroxine and they may not be inclined to do the necessary testing all over again, , of Boston Medical Center, told 51˶.
"The endocrine literature suggested that as many as a third of the patients needed a dose adjustment with a change in T4 manufacturer so the doctors did not just have to write a new prescription but they had to arrange for repeat thyroid tests after 6 to 8 weeks and then review them, make dose adjustments, and test again," Lee said. "This was a huge amount of work for both the doctors and the patients."
Pfizer stopped making Levoxyl in February 2013 after reports of an odor that appeared a few days after opening the bottle. Their investigation found that source of the smell was an oxygen-absorbing canister in the bottles, which didn't cause any adverse health consequences, according to the press release.
The problem has since been fixed and pharmacies should see the drug back on shelves on March 3.
Pfizer is also giving patients a 30-day free trial, which can be .
, of the University of Michigan, said although the shortage didn't cause any serious problems, it did cause enough confusion and extra blood testing that neither patients nor physicians want to repeat.
"I think it may be a challenge for Levoxyl to re-establish its market share," Koenig said, "but time will tell."