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What is methimazole? Methimazole prevents the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone. Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). It is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Methimazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Warnings You should not breast-feed while using methimazole. Before taking this medicine You should not use methimazole if you are allergic to it, or: if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. To make sure methimazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: liver disease; a blood cell disorder; or a weak immune system. Using methimazole during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine. Methimazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. How should I take methimazole? Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use methimazole in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Methimazole is usually taken every 8 hours. Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times. If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Methimazole doses are based on weight in children, and any changes may affect your child's dose. Methimazole can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Use methimazole regularly to get the most benefit, even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using methimazole. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache, joint pain, fever, itching, swelling, or pale skin and easy bruising or bleeding. What should I avoid while taking methimazole? Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection. Methimazole side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with methimazole. Stop using methimazole and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, cold or flu symptoms; painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, red or swollen gums; or pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding. Call your doctor at once if you have: swollen glands in your neck or jaw; or liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; headache, dizziness, drowsiness; numbness or tingly feeling; rash, itching, skin discoloration; muscle or joint pain; hair loss; or decreased sense of taste. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Methimazole dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Hyperthyroidism: Initial dose: Mild hyperthyroidism: 15 mg orally per day Moderately severe hyperthyroidism: 30 to 40 mg orally per day Severe hyperthyroidism: 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: 5 to 15 mg orally per day Comments: Daily doses are usually given in 3 divided doses at approximately 8 hour intervals Uses: -For the treatment of Graves' disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter in whom surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not an appropriate treatment option. -To ameliorate symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy. Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperthyroidism: Initial dose: 0.4 mg/kg orally per day Maintenance dose: 0.2 mg/kg orally per day (approximately half the initial dose) Comments: Daily doses are usually given in 3 divided doses at approximately 8 hour intervals What other drugs will affect methimazole? Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: digoxin, digitalis, theophylline; a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or a beta blocker--atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others. This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with methimazole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
What is propylthiouracil? Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), Graves' disease, or toxic goiter (enlarged thyroid). propylthiouracil is sometimes given to control symptoms just before you undergo thyroid surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine. Propylthiouracil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Warnings Propylthiouracil can cause serious or fatal liver problems. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have upper stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, itching, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Before taking this medicine You should not use propylthiouracil if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver problems. In very rare cases, propylthiouracil has caused liver failure and death in pregnant women during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Propylthiouracil may cause liver failure in children, but is sometimes used in children who cannot be treated with other medications. Do not give propylthiouracil to a child without your doctor's advice. How should I take propylthiouracil? Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Propylthiouracil is usually taken 3 times per day. You will need frequent blood tests to check your thyroid. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat). Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Detailed Propylthiouracil dosage information What happens if I miss a dose? Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include fever, chills, itching, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, swelling, headache, or joint pain. What should I avoid while taking propylthiouracil? Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how propylthiouracil will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Propylthiouracil side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Propylthiouracil can cause liver damage (especially during the first 6 months of treatment). Liver failure can be fatal or may require a liver transplant. Stop taking propylthiouracil and call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver damage: nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain; itching; fever, tiredness; loss of appetite; dark urine, clay-colored stools; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Also call your doctor at once if you have: fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, feeling light-headed; unusual bleeding; purple or red discoloration of your skin; skin rash, skin pain or swelling; pink or dark urine, foamy urine, little or no urination; shortness of breath, or if you cough up blood; or new or worsening symptoms of lupus--joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight. Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; itching or tingling, nerve pain; joint or muscle pain; swollen glands; headache, drowsiness, dizziness; swelling in your hands or feet; decreased sense of taste; or hair loss. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.