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Lawsuits against Forest for Armour thyroid?

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.
26 Responses
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
You've attached to a 6.5 yr old thread and marilynns has not been active on the forum for many years.

Just for your information, thyroid cancer rarely presents symptoms and is present in less than 5% of those with nodules.  Additionally, those with Hashimoto's are NOT at higher risk for thyroid cancer...
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1318296 tn?1274808023
I don't know your history . . . why you take thyroid meds, how much you take, for how long, etc. but . . . the burning you have could be indicative of thyroid cancer and people with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) are at a higher risk for it. Consider that this could also be a possibility.
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Avatar universal
I found a wonderful pharmacy who uses a pesal to make my thyroid which is Armout. They only put 1 filler where the co. that makes throid puts 14 fillers in it. Recept pharmacy makes mine an puts it in capsule so I don't have to smell that famous smell. My Armour is more natural than what commercial pharmacy sells. So ask you pharmacy to do the same that mine does.

JWTX
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Avatar universal
I love Armour Thyroid.  It is the only med that has helped me in the 18 years since diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  I was on synthroid or levothroid for several years, which did absolutely nothing for me, except make me nervous, then doc switched me to Thyrolar 3, which actually worked, then could not get it anywhere anymore.  My mother had been after me for years to take what she had taken since she was 16, armour thyroid, so I told doc  about four years ago I wanted to try it.  It is a miracle drug for me!!  For once the head fog is gone, I have lost weight, my skin and hair are nice and soft.., etc.  Yes, it does have a smell, kinda like a kitty I once had with a butt gland problem.  I like to get others to smell it, get a laugh out of that, especially my husband.  The smell is not something that EVER bothers me, I would take it even if it smelled worse.  
I would suggest that the lady should perhaps take a look at her diet, maybe acid reflux is a result of that, like too much coffee, which I love, can cause it in me.  
I hope you find the answer, because going off armour for a period of time is awful when the symptoms start coming back.  
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1318968 tn?1274287644
You just made my day!  Thanks so much and blessings to you!!!
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499534 tn?1328704178
Thank you for the information Moose......I have heard a lot of good things about the Canadian ERFA brand.  
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798555 tn?1292787551
Canadian ERFA brand thyroid is the closest to old Armour that you can get. Available by faxing a script to many Canadian online pharmas - goggle it.
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1318968 tn?1274287644
I've been hypothyroid for nearly 7 years and have recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.  In the early years of this condition, I was taking Synthroid.  It was okay, but Armour was MUCH better and held me steady for several years.  I loved Armour and continuously sang its praises on various hypothyroid forums.

Last fall, while attending classes full-time at UT (Toledo), I began noticing changes.  Long story short, my grades during the fall & spring took a nose dive and I've gained 20 pounds since August '09.  Needless to say, I AM ANGRY!!!!  

I'm now seeing a specialist who is trying to stabilize my worsened condition.   At some point, I'll lose the weight and be healthy again, but a lot of money has been spent on blood tests and for my classes, which I worked my butt off in to only get C's!  The fatigue was both physically AND mentally horrendous.

Is a lawsuit the answer?  Probably not.  But why didn't Forest make an announcement about the formula change?  It really upsets me that they completely disregarded our, i.e. the patients' well being and overall health, toying around with us as if we're some lab experiment!  
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Avatar universal
To all of those considering legal action against the Amour Manufacturer.


Firstly...have you ever considered that the PHARMACIST didnt store the medication properly as they are supposed too?

I had a similar experience with Neomercazole (anti-thyroid med) a few years ago.
I found the meds had black specks on them.
It was found that the Pharmacy hadnt stored the meds in a dry place ...hence the black specs (which was mould).
I was horrified too but didnt make a fuss as I was STILL breathing and STILL alive.

I dnt take Armour as it is banned here in Autsralia and has been for many years but I did stop to think that HAD I taken a lawsuit out against the manufacurer of Neomercazole (MMI), I would be disadvantaging people who couldnt take PTU and only MMI.

Life is he// without treatment of the thyroid and if you got a batch that wasnt up to scratch...is it such a big deal?
Are you dead?
No
Are you sick?
No.

If you brought milk that was off...would you sue the company?
No...you would take it back to be replaced.

Sorry , I know this post is old but to be honest.........just take the Armour they replaced and be thankful you can get it.
Because without Armour....you are also depriving yourself of quality of life.

Food for thought.........
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Avatar universal
I have had some problems with armor thyroid the last six months since there has been a shortage now in the medication. My energy level was extreme fatigue, my levels have not been normal, weight gain, etc. I've been on this medicaiton for three years and always did fine with it up until the last 6 to seven months. Before the shortage, I was fine on the medication. I did discover that due to a shortage, my endocronologist informed me that the manufacturer has changed the formula in making this medication now. I was very upset that I wasn't informed and was wondering why I was getting so ill. I even had further tests done because of other health issues because the medication wasn't replacing what I needed. I feel if the medicaiton is changing, the consumer needs to be informed. I'm contacting a lawyer to see what my options are and if I should proceed with a lawsuit. If anyone else has had this problem, please contact me at ***@****
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Avatar universal
Companies need to be held responsible for the problems that they caused with this ill fated Armour Thyroid.  It amazes me that people are so quick to discount the health issues and expense related to it because of someone else's negligences. I literally just spoke with a professional that I know  and had not seen or spoken to during my illness.  She said that she is having some of the same issues that I had in the beginning of my ill fated trip and that she is on Armour Thyroid.

This post may be old but there is definitely an issue that needs to resolved in this situation.
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798555 tn?1292787551
Its amassing how older posts surface now and then.

Back in 2008 there were plenty of brands of natural dessicated thyroid to choose from in the US. So even if there was a change in Armour as early as 08 then, why continue to take any med brand if you suspect you have problems with it. Synthroid did not relieve any of my symptoms, but I'm certainly not going to sue them for it not working for ME, it works for many just fine. That said, I have personally spent thousands as Hoshis continued to wreck havoc with my health on T4 until I learned about dessicated.

Also many of the symptoms from the very top post resemble acid reflux, a common symptom when your hypo with thyroid issues.

The FDA already shut down Time Caps Labs and Major brand's generic of original Armour in summer 09. And who is to say Armour might improve in a positive direction some time (as of 1-4-09 we dont know their game plan do we?). A law suit would surly be noticed by the Makers of Nature Throid, personally I dont want anything to interfere with the one remaining quality manufacture NDT in the US left standing.

Bottom line: Say if a lawsuit happened, even if past Armour patients received monetary reimbursement, will this fix our illness? I will still have Hoshis, but maybe with the extra $ I could afford the possibility of the price quadrupling of the NDT that's left on the US market.

I do, to some extent understand some peoples reacting in the form of outrage to this Armour thing.  But outrage and reacting before thinking of the possible future outcomes, in general, weather it be in medicine or (do I dare say) world peace, does not result in anything positive.

Lets positively  concentrate on improving our thyroid heath and helping others with the limited thyroid meds that are left for us to choose from, that is THE purpose of Med-Help.
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Avatar universal
I agree with you Marilynn - There is a horrible odor to the medicine that was given back in 2008.  It is a far cry from the normal smell of Armour Thyroid.  It smells rotten. I had many of the problems that you named apparently during the time that you had them. I had just been too sick to fight the issue.  I had hives that turned into burns and still have the dark spots, excessive monthly bleeding, bleeding when I had a bile movement, my throat stopped working on one side, I couldn't breath from one lung,  a sickly feeling, TMJ/TMD, my nose felt like my sinus's had sealed off among other things including a life time illness that started during this period of concern.  My specialist advised that people are predisposed to this lifetime illness but something tramatic has to happen to your body to cause the on set.  I wish someone investigate this to prove the truth.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
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.  
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393685 tn?1425812522
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
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744962 tn?1270942038
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.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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.  
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734073 tn?1278896325
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!
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
*Tch*  Balderdash.  
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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.
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499534 tn?1328704178
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!
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536139 tn?1273185952
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.
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