IMPORTANT - Wockhardt brand tamoxifen.

[Evie-S]

Hi Yorkshire Tyke - thank you for sharing this update, it’s so frustrating isn’t it. I started with Teva, they stopped making 20mg so I moved to Wockhardt and now that one is having problems. You might like to see the following thread that has started https://forum.breastcancernow.org/t5/Hormone-therapy/Swapping-Tamoxifen-brand-from-Wockhardt-to-Till...

Best wishes Evie xx

[Yorkshire Tyke]

Hi All,

I experienced problems filling my prescription for Tamoxifen (brand Wockhardt). After ringing round multiple pharmacies I contacted the company and their response was as follows:

"Unfortunately there has been a disruption to the production of this product. At this stage it is not clear when the production of this product will recommence at the manufacturer - this is due to availability of the specific pharmaceutical ingredients required for the manufacture. As per current update we are hoping to resume supply tentatively only after Feb 2021"

So it looks like those of us who have been on the Wockhardt brand for some time are going to have to switch brands and see if we have any adverse side effects to a different brand.

Stay safe ladies

[Mermaid55]

Hi

Just come off Letrozol and have been put on to Tamoxifen, have not started taking it yet I'm waiting for the right moment!.

Anyway just wanted to let you know Boots Haverfordwest stock Wockhardt, so Boots MUST stock it.

Are you sure its not your surgery that doesn't want to spend the extra?

Regards x 

[Mermaid55]

Hi

Just come off Letrozol and have been put on to Tamoxifen, have not started taking it yet I'm waiting for the right moment!.

Anyway just wanted to let you know Boots Haverfordwest stock Wockhardt, so Boots MUST stock it.

Are you sure its not your surgery that doesn't want to spend the extra?

Regards x 

[PatC]

Thank you, MsMerton.  Will give that a try next time (2 months time).  Will mean changing the "standing order" I have for my prescription to go electronically to a particular chemist, but would be worth it.

[Ms Merton]

I have been getting Wockhardt brand from Superdrug. If there is a branch near you, you could ask whether they can supply it? I find them quite helpful. 

[PatC]

I much prefer Wockhardt to RelonChem because the tablets are coated and don't catch in the throat and break up so easily with a horrible bitter taste.

I have been given the run-around trying to get them.  GP says can't specify brand, chemist (Boots) says no longer made, Wockhardt says oh yes they are, but we can't even tell you which wholesalers we supply (so i could go to the relevant chemist).  Went back to Boots and they told me their wholesaler won't stock them.

Feeling pretty unhappy about this.  Surely they are not identical, if one's coated and the other not?  Not surprised that coated tablets cost more, but why shouldn't we get them if they are so much more pleasant to take?  After all, I expect to be on these tablets for ever.

[Bibi44]

TEVA seems to occasionally hit availability problems too, generally resolved within 2-4 weeks, I gradually moved my repeat prescription forward a week each time I ordered, no one seemed to notice, & now have a month stock in hand in case of problems. My onc also said 20mg every other day is just as effective as 20mg every day, because it stays in your body for 7-10 days, so no need to panic if you can't get any for a short period. I had a bad experience with Relonchem too.  Just took it back & said I'm not taking this cr*p & they replaced it for me. xx

[william101]

I work for Boots and we can call manufacturer and wholesale supplier. If we call our supplier Unichem they will send you the specific brand you want if they have it in stock, it sounds like the pharmacy you visited just couldn't be bothered. We have a legal and moral responsibility to supply patient's drugs within a resonable time frame. GPHC, the Pharmacy Regulators, would be shocked to hear of your experience

[william101]

If they order through the electronic order pad unichem will send any brand they have to hand, if your Pharmacy call them and ask for a specific brand they will send it if they have it in stock. Most manufacture's keep a "reserve supply" as well, due some people being allergic to certain brands. Most manufactrures use different excipients and binding agents, lactose being the biggest problem for most people.,

[June_BCC]

Hello  Rcaocat

Welcome to the forums. .
Just to let you know we have a helpline should you want any support or practical information, the free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and lines are open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 10-2 Saturday.

Best wishes

June, moderator

[Rcaocat]

I began with Wockhardt and then was shocked to find a pack of TEVA in one of my prescription bags.  In fact, I then thought I'd give it a go and the sore joints and dry eyes cleared up.  Needless to say, I then wanted more TEVA which I couldn't get so had to go back to Wockhardt and the sore joints and dry eyes returned which made me feel sure that there was a link.  Finally I have been able to get TEVA again and the side effects mentioned here have gone again.

My flushes are worse at the moment but in fact had reduced greatly the first time I was taking TEVA so I think that is just the way of menopause rather than the drugs.  

It is different for everyone but just give it a go and see what works for you.

[Maddog]

Update: Boots called me to say their supplier cannot get Wockhardt brand tamoxifen as Wockhardt kept sending them other brands as substitutes. So gave Boots the name of the person I spoke to and phone number. She called them and was told the same as me PLENTY of STOCK. So she called her supplier back and told them the conversation she had just had - and would you believe they said they had just placed an order and Wockhardt brand were on their way !!!!! what a coincidence. Who do these people think they are. As the lady at Boots said to me we now know where the problem lies and we will both give them hassle to make sure we get what brand WE want.

[Maddog]

I emailed Wockhardt this morning concerning the unavailability of tamoxifen and they called me back ! They could not have been more helpful. They have boxes and boxes of tamoxifen ready to go !!. The problem is with the wholesalers who supply the chemists ??????. They even gave me the phone number for Boots to call and they would despatch them asap and charge the wholesalers. Only one problem Boots are not allowed to call ?? spoke to them this morning and they are going to speak to their wholesalers ???? ever get the feeling your going round in circles. When I get a reply will post info on here. Cause as far as I am concerned relonchem do not suit me and I am not gonna take them

[janeliz]

Hi I prefer Teva but couldn't get it and was forced to try Wockhardt for one month and it wasn't too bad. Certainly can't take Relonchem. I was very concerned about the supply problems with Wockhart so contacted them direct. They confirmed there was not a shortage as far as they were concerned but that the issue is the middle men (distributer/warehouse) who tend to stock up on a brand when another perhaps stops supplying for a while. They then want to get rid of that stock before ordering more. Wockhardt said that the pharmacy   can always orderi direct from them for a patient and they will deliver. I think it all depends on how helpfull everyone is trying to be. Unfortunately I have a very unhelpfull GP who doesn't like giving me a separate prescription to take to another chemist and I have a battle with her every month. She keeps saying the brands are all the same.

[katytc]

Around 6 months ago was given Relon, horrid side effects, been on Wockhardt for over 2 years with just the usual problems. Asked pharmacist for his help and he said he would order directly from the warehouse, due to reorder soon so hope all is ok. Bit scary, hate Relon xx

[SamLee]

Thought I would just jump in quickly here and reply re buying on the internet.  I don't take Wockhardt brand or any of the other generic brands, but I do buy the original Nolvadex Tamoxifen over the internet, as you can get it in other countries.

There are of course some "dodgy" online pharmacies but the majority are genuine and just are in other countries which is why you can get brands you can't get here.  Nothing more sinister than that. 

My Nolvadex comes from Canada, but the packaging is original and it is manufactured in the UK, its just purely that they won't supply it here due to cost.

Hope this helps you.

[Maddog]

Has anybody purchased Wockhardt brand through the internet, am tempted to buy some but worry they could be fake .

[Maddog]

Only taken relonchem for 4 days and got a period today !!!!! Have'nt had one of those for months on Wockhardt. Thought that was the only GOOD side effect but is this normal ????? 

[Zuleika]

Hi I've tried all brands, only because I have what my pharmacist gives me and it changes from time to time. I haven't noticed any problem with either brand. I'm tolerating it well. Not everyone. Who takes tamoxifen has problems with it. You may find you are ok with it.
Good
Lick

[Melx7]

I am due to start Tamoxifen but have nothing  had my first prescription yet should I ask for Teva? Looking at comments it would seem wockhardt is no longer an option and  relonchem appears tobe a nightmare for most people. Any advice very welcome. Thanks

[Michelin]

I've been on Tamoxifen for 3 months - first brand was Wockhart, currently on Teva. I'm very lucky in that I've not had any bad side effects so far - a few hot flushes but at 54 I would think the menopause was imminent anyway. No aches, pains, sickness etc. So I count myself lucky but just noticed that my next brand dispensed is Relonchem.....should I really be worried? Are there any of you that have had a good experience with this brand?

[mossfarm]

I honestly thought I was losing my mind. 18 months on various brands of Tamoxifen, side effects manageable, 2 days of Relochem and I am having constant hot flushes, swollen legs, headache and feeling so s**t. Glad I logged on this evening and read your post. Who should I get in touch with, GP or pharmacist to try and get it changed? I actually see my surgeon and BCN tomorrow for a check up, will ask them.

[chelseagirl44]

Relonchem was hell for me too. Four years on Wockhardt with manageable daily side effects 2 days on Relonchem thought I was going mental. Flushes, headaches, swelling. Decided not to take it for a week just to give myself a break. New prescription is Teva and just a few days on it feel normal (!) again.

[Kess]

that is worrying. I only started Tamoxifen last month, but have been on Wockhardt with very few problems (just a continuation of the hot flushes I had from chemo). I will see if I can get some more supplied so I can stock up if the pharmacy I had them from still has any.

seems a bit of an odd step though....

[Nanny_Sal]

OH NO!! They can't do that 😞 I would rather stop taking it that take Relonchem! It made my life hell. I was already having a bad day! Now this 😞

Thanks for the warning though.

[Maddog]

Got my prescription for tamoxifen today but cannot get wockhardt boots told me they have not made any since April and every chemist is out of stock. So had to have relonchem never even heard of them. Sh-t.

[lucy12]

My friend has just gone to collect her prescription for tamoxifen (her pharmacist always gets wockhardt in for her) and he has told her that it will no longer be available from pharmacies other than hospital ones, ordered directly through the oncology department.

He wasn't sure when this is coming into effect but it is imminent and he has ordered my friend a years supply direct from the manufacurer.

I haven't spoken to my pharmacist yet to confirm but I have no reason to doubt her.