Propylthiouracil
Thyroid Therapy · Antithyroid
Indications
Hyperthyroidism.
Dosage
Adults: 100 mg every 8 hr, 400 mg/day as every 8 hr dose for severe hyperthyroidism/large goitre, up to 600-900 mg/day if needed. Maintenance: 100-150 mg/day. Children: 6-10 yr: Initial: 50-150 mg/day. Above 10 yr: 150-300 mg/day. Maintenance: Determine dose by response.
Adverse Effects
GI upset, headache, arthralgia, rash, dysgeusia, hepatic disorders, skin reactions, pruritus, urticaria, alopecia, jaundice. Bone marrow depression: advise patients to report sore throats, mouth ulcers, pyrexia; withdraw drug.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Precautions: Renal or hepatic impairment, age above 40 years. Patients to report symptoms of sore throat, bleeding, mouth ulcers, fever or hepatic reactions; discontinue immediately. Monitor PT.
Interactions
Warfarin, anticoagulants, correction of hyperthyroidism may alter disposition of beta-blockers, digoxin, theophylline.
Advice to Patient
Take with meals, at the same time each day. Do not miss a dose or take missed dose. Contact prescriber if there is skin rash, skin eruptions, hair loss, unusual bruising or bleeding, itching, unusual weight gain (>5 lb per week), unrelieved fever or headache, sore throat, anorexia, right upper quadrant pain, signs of hypothyroidism (cold intolerance, depression, increased fatigue), loss of appetite, change in colour of faeces or urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, joint pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness. Do not take dietary sources of iodine, such as iodized salt and shellfish during therapy. Check pulse rate and weight daily and report increased heart rate and weight loss to prescriber. Have periodic blood tests done as recommended by the prescriber to check drug's effectiveness.
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action: For significant therapeutic effects 24-36 hrs are required; remission of hyperthyroidism usually does not occur before 4 mth of continued therapy. Duration: 12-24 hrs. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: 53%-88%. Half-life elimination: Approx. 1 hr. Time to peak, serum: 1-2 hrs. Excretion: Urine (35%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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