Methimazole

Generic name: Methimazole
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: Antithyroid agents

Usage of 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.

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.

Methimazole may cause serious side effects. 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 of methimazole 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.

Before taking Methimazole

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 methimazole.

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.

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How to use Methimazole

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperthyroidism:

Initial dose: Mild hyperthyroidism: 15 mg orally per dayModerately severe hyperthyroidism: 30 to 40 mg orally per daySevere 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 intervalsUses: -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 dayMaintenance 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

Warnings

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

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.

Disclaimer

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