Methimazole
Generic medicine reference
Not yet clinically reviewed
This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Overview
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.
Indications
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.
Contraindications
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.
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.
Warnings
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
High Risk Groups
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Adult Dosage
0.071 to 0.214 mg/kg (0.14 (0.1425)) 24 hourly PO — Maintenance
0.071 to 0.285 mg/kg (0.18 (0.178)) 8 hourly PO — Initial
Scraped Dose — Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine 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.
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
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.
Storage
Tab Store Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.
Available Brands in Pakistan
No brands are recorded for this generic.