Thursday, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) announced “The stopping of cynomel marketing“, A treatment used to treat hypothyroidism. But to ensure continuous care of the many patients concerned, a replacement solution has been already planned, the agency said in a press release.
The cynomel will no longer be marketed in France
Surprise for the 3000 patients consumers of cynomel: from October 31, they will no longer be able to buy their treatment in pharmacies. The Sanofi laboratory has indeed decided to stop the marketing of the famous drug. But the patients concerned are not abandoned! A safety stock has been set up to anticipate production stopping and equivalent treatment – based on the same active molecule – should soon arrive on the shelves.
“In anticipation, we have identified an alternative to the cynomel: Thybon 20 Henning (Liothyronine chlorhydrate), with a marketing authorization (AMM) in Germany for more than 25 years. The Sanofi laboratory has committed to import this medication into France”, Confirms the national drug safety agency in the press release.
These imports will be effective at the time of stopping cynomel and “will be followed by a request for MA of Thybon in France to ensure lasting access to this medication, in order to prevent patients with repeated treatment changes “, she continued.
Cynomel vs Thybon 20 Henning: what differences?
Slaughter
Thybon 20 Henning has a secular bar, allowing the tablet to be cut in half, unlike the cynomel which is quadrisable.
“If a finer dosage adjustment is necessary, a medical advice, accompanied by the appropriate hormonal dosages, can lead to a quarter of the tablet. It will be necessary to use a plot cut, without guarantee of perfectly equal cuts”, reports the agency.
Pregnancy
“Liothyronine is contraindicated during pregnancy, in accordance with international recommendations for substitute treatment in pregnant women. Levothyroxine should be used in this case”, warns the ANSM.
Notorious effect excipient
“Thybon 20 Henning contains castor oil that can cause a risk of allergic reaction in some patients”, wishes to underline the agency.
Recommendations
If you are currently being treated by Cynomel, your doctor may prescribe Thybon 20 Henning alternative to Cynomel. New prescription from your doctor will be necessary.
Your doctor will also prescribe thyroid hormone dosages (TSH, T4, T3):
- Systematically 6 to 8 weeks after the start of treatment;
- 6 to 8 weeks after any change of dose during treatment;
- In the event of a significant variation in your weight;
- In case of clinical signs or symptoms evoking a thyroid imbalance, or if you have any other unusual symptoms or felt;
- In case of persistence and/or worsening of clinical signs.
“Regular monitoring during treatment makes it possible to adjust the dose to achieve the therapeutic objective taking into account your feelings”, concludes the press release.