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Methimazole is a prescription antithyroid medicine used to treat selected causes of hyperthyroidism. Current oral tablets contain 5 mg or 10 mg. It is indicated for Graves disease or toxic multinodular goiter when surgery or radioactive iodine is unsuitable and for controlling hyperthyroidism before thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine treatment.
read more about methimazole ...Methimazole inhibits thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme needed to synthesize thyroid hormones. This reduces production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. It does not directly inactivate thyroid hormones already stored in the gland or circulating in the bloodstream.
Methimazole is used in adults and children with qualifying hyperthyroidism, including Graves disease and toxic multinodular goiter. It is also used before selected definitive thyroid treatments. Thyroid hormone levels are monitored to prevent excessive suppression. Pregnancy requires individualized treatment due to the risk of fetal harm, particularly during the first trimester.
For adults, current labeling describes initial daily doses of 15 mg for mild hyperthyroidism, 30 mg to 40 mg for moderately severe disease, and 60 mg for severe disease. The total daily dose is usually divided into three doses approximately eight hours apart. Maintenance dosing is 5 mg to 15 mg daily. Pediatric treatment starts at approximately 0.4 mg per kg daily in three divided doses, with maintenance dosing approximately half the initial amount.
Methimazole can cause agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening reduction in infection-fighting white blood cells. Other serious risks include liver injury or failure, aplastic anemia, vasculitis, hypothyroidism, and fetal malformations associated with first-trimester exposure. Fever or sore throat requires immediate medical assessment due to possible agranulocytosis.
Methimazole treats selected hyperthyroidism associated with Graves disease or toxic multinodular goiter and is used before certain thyroid procedures.
The current tablet label describes an initial total dose of 15 mg daily, usually divided into three doses.
Thyroid tests guide dosing, while blood counts and liver tests help investigate potential serious adverse reactions.
Yes. First-trimester exposure is associated with certain congenital malformations, requiring careful pregnancy-specific treatment decisions.
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