Lawsuits against Forest for Armour thyroid?

[marilynns]

I have been taking Armour thyroid (3 pills of 15 mgs each per day) for about 4 years. It seemed to be working fine. This month I started getting a burning feeling in my throat and esophagus and upper stomach. I smelled the bottle of pills and it had a very bad chemical smell to it, so I stopped taking them. I went to another pharmacy and got a new prescription of Armour thyroid. It seemed fine for the first 2-3 days and then I again got this burning in my throat, esophagus and stomach. When I smelled this second prescription bottle, it now too had this strong chemical odor. I contacted Forest Labs, the manufacturer, and they denied knowing about any such problems. But they lied to me, saying they called the two pharmacies and couldn't get the lot numbers from the pharmacies and so couldn't check up on the lots that I got. I reported this to the FDA. They called the pharmacies and were able to get the lot numbers without any problem. I am considering a lawsuit against Forest, since I am still having this painful burning and it has been about 2-3 weeks since the problem first started and I stopped all Armour thyroid after the second prescription was bad, too. The FDA found out that, in fact, both prescriptions came from the same lot! Their impression was that maybe Forest got these pills from outside the country and they are contaminated! Especially likely since Forest has been having production problems with the 15 mg size. Please let me know if you have had a similar problem or know of any similar lawsuits against Forest. Thank you.

[stella5349]

There are no law suits going on with Forest Labs regarding this situation and I never heard of that either.

Armour is in short supply for many reasons and they are the original company that produces the Armour med so who (out of the country) would give THEM meds?

That's insane.

In fact if you read any artical  --------------the 15mg tablet IS THE ONLY DOSAGE in mass production right now. the 30-60-90-120 are the dosages that are very hard to get - in fact right now impossible for many.

So if I understand you correctly you called the Federal Drug Administration because of a bad smell in your Armour?

What test or conclusions is your treating doctor telling you - are you poisoned? Is there something your doctor found wrong with the Armour med you took?

If your plan is to sue Forest Pharm just because you bottle smelt bad - which Armour has an odor anyway - without any proper documentation - well I have a feeling your in for a long battle.

I'm sorry - but Armour meds totally help my situation and to get sue happy with a lab that is fighting pretty hard to stay afloat - due to Abbott Labs greedy intentions is not for me.

Sorry I won't be jumping on the band wagon with you on this.

[stella5349]

Could your burning sensation be GERD or acid due to being too low on meds to begin with?

[Shari4]

I typed out this reply yesterday, but I was hesitant to post it.  It's been bothering me since it appeared, but I didn't want to give it any attention.  I don't think you'll get the feedback your looking for here.  People on this forum who are successful with Armour certainly will not be interested in helping you in any possible litigation against Forest.  I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but this is MedHelp, not LegalHelp.

People on this forum have symptoms and conditions and fears about their health.  The last thing they need is this.  I bet all of the people on here taking Armour are "smelling" their pills.  I also find it completely odd that you didn't "smell" the second prescription bottle before you left the second pharmacy.

Did you go to your doctor and report your symptoms to see if Armour was the true culprit?  Do you have any definitive proof that it was the Armour that caused this at all?  And what, may I ask, do you take for your thyroid problem now that you stopped taking Armour after four years?  You don't even mention that.

You were smart enough to call the FDA.  I am completely impressed that the FDA gave you ANY impression at all, especially since, "their impression was that maybe Forest got these pills from outside the country and they are contaminated"!  That's quite a statement for the FDA to make.  Do you have this in writing?  If this is true, than the FDA is the only witness you will need in your legal quest, and you will surely prevail.  I doubt it is true.  Such things are made public when they occur, and recalls of the medication would have been made.

Just so you know, I do not take Armour.  I am, however, in the legal profession, so my opinion is purely from a legal standpoint.  My outrage is personal because I have dear friends on this forum who are getting their lives back because of it.

To come to this forum and sound the "Armour Alarm" without any substantial proof is the only thing that "smells" to me.

[laura1967]

Amen Stella and Shari!!!  Quick note as well to Marilynns: If there was truly something wrong with your bottles of Armour.....someone by now would have suggested they be sent in to a lab for testing immediately. Especially your pharmacy. They don't play around with the possibility of tainted medication!

[bretbunch]

I'm not here to bash anyone----BUT I do not believe that you have a lawsuit in this case.  In order for there to be a valid lawsuit and batches of Armour to have been "bad", there would have been A LOT more noise about it because there are many, many thyroid patients that are on Armour Thyroid.  

I think it has something to do with your system and I Concur with the comments that state that FDA would not share any negative information with you personally until they had completed a thorough investigation.

Armour Thyroid medication has HELPED me and with everyone's concerns about taking thyroid medication, getting rid of symptoms and finding proper dosing, this is not the forum to use if you plan to file a useless lawsuit.

My two cents only--no offense meant, just an opinion.

[seawha]

First of all, Armour always has an odd odor.  It’s the nature of the product.  You don’t mention that you noted any unusual odor prior to this episode.  

Very strong statement to accuse anyone of lying.  That can be considered a slanderous accusation.  I hope you documented everything.  You may need it.

Any Pharmaceutical company documents in detail who, what where how when and lot #’s involved so they can track and recall in the event of a problem.  I find it impossible to believe they would not be able to track drugs if given the appropriate information.

The FDA would not liable itself by giving unsubstantiated statements as described.  

Forrest is not having production problems with the 15mg strength of Armour. Get your facts right before you embarrass yourself beyond this forum.

[seawha]

*Tch*  Balderdash.  

[MissClarity]

Sounds to me like this person is on the SynThyroid (Synthetic Thyroid) payroll.  I've taken armour for years.  It's important that people with a thyroid remain on a natural thyroid (armour) because it supports your existing thyroid.  Synthetic thyroids (SynThoyroid is only one of others) becomes your thyroid and any existing thyroid will diminish and disappear with Synthetic thyroids (SynThyroid).  Pregnant women should be cautious that a doctor does not put them on a synthetic thyroid because the babies thyroid will not develop.

BEWARE OF SCARE TACTICS OF THE SYNTHROID CORP.

[magpieannie]

Most of these people realize NOW (1 year later-look at post dates-2008), that there was an issue with Armour Brand reformulation (Forest Pharm. Co) It seems they did "step in it" with the FDA. The best thing for people to do, is to stay as close to what has been working for them, medication wise. If that has been a dessicated porcine t3/t4 med. then have it compounded. Or switch to Nature-Throid or Westhroid (RLC Pharm. Co.), when it is available again! (mid. Nov.) hopefully! Their formula is still great and they are not in trouble with the FDA. They were caught off guard with the huge demand due to every one switching to them from Armour!

[Cindy0255]

I am surprised with all your comments. I dont know about you but we can sometimes panic given all the unwanted symptoms when our thyroid is not working properly.   I myself just picked up a new prescrition of Armour Thyroid.   I have been taking it for a few days now and just today noticed that the characteristic odor is NOT there.  However I will be going back to the pharmacist to ensure they gave me the right thing.  Marilyn, you should go to the doctor and see if you possibly are experiencing acid reflux.  I have experienced those same symptoms and thats what it turned out to be.  The burning in the throat can continue for days, weeks and longer until it heals.           For the rest of you have try to be more understanding and have some compassion for others.  Good luck Marilynn in finding out what is actually going on with you.  

[liya8]

I feel uncomfortable reading these comments.  Armour may not have worked for me but it does and has worked for many others. I come to this forum to grow, learn and share with others and not with any intention to get involved with legal matters related to Armour or for that matter any other thyroid supplement.

[stella5349]

I think this is a pretty old post. I remember the poster and actually had some interaction.

Armour has gone through soem changes as we all know, and hopefully the shortage and issues will be resolved by mid December.

Until then - keeping up on the information and remaining healthy is most important.

Good Luck

[Barb135]

Some people prefer the Armour or natural thyroid products and they work just great.  For one reason or another some of us are on synthetic products and they work equally well.  Everyone is different and the meds affect us all individually -- as long as we are controlling our symptoms and getting better, it doesn't matter whether we are on synthetic or natural products.  

I DO have a thyroid, am on generic levo + cytomel and I resent you implication that I can't get better because I'm not on Armour.  Just because it works for you, doesn't mean that something else won't work for me.