Table of contents:
- What Drug Propylthiouracil?
- What is Propylthiouracil for?
- How to use Propylthiouracil?
- How is Propylthiouracil stored?
- Propylthiouracil dosage
- What is the Propylthiouracil dosage for adults?
- What is the Propylthiouracil dosage for children?
- In what dosage is Propylthiouracil available?
- Propylthiouracil side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to Propylthiouracil?
- Propylthiouracil Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using Propylthiouracil?
- Is Propylthiouracil safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Propylthiouracil Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with Propylthiouracil?
- Can food or alcohol interact with Propylthiouracil?
- What health conditions may interact with Propylthiouracil?
- Propylthiouracil overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What Drug Propylthiouracil?
What is Propylthiouracil for?
Propylthiouracil is a drug used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). It works by stopping the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone. This medicine is not recommended for children.
How to use Propylthiouracil?
Read the drug's guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if available, before you get this medication and each time you buy it again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day (every 8 hours).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, instead the risk of side effects will be even higher.
Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. Do not stop using this medication before consulting a doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
How is Propylthiouracil stored?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Propylthiouracil dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the Propylthiouracil dosage for adults?
Adult Dose for Hyperthyroidism
Initial dose: 100 - 150 mg orally every 8 hours. Rarely but possible, patients will need 200 - 300 mg orally every 8 hours. The initial dose will be continued for 2 months after all symptoms are controlled.
Treatment: 100 - 150 mg / day in evenly divided doses every 8-12 hours. Treatment is usually continued until spontaneous remission occurs (up to 1-2 years) or until ablative therapy is initiated.
Adult Dose for Thyroid Storm
Initial dose: 100 - 200 mg orall every 4 - 6 hours on the first day of treatment.
Treatment: when control has been carried out via the initial dose, slowly reduce the dose to 100 - 150 mg per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours.
The use of beta-blockers is usually recommended to help control symptoms of thyroid storm.
Adult Dose for Alcohol-induced Liver Damage
100 mg orally 3 times a day. Although data are limited, long-term use of this drug (1-2 years) can reduce mortality associated with alcohol-induced liver damage.
What is the Propylthiouracil dosage for children?
Children's dosage for Hyperthyroidism
Initial dose: 0-4 weeks of age: 5-10 mg / kg / day orally in divided doses, given every 8 hours.
1 month to 12 years: 5 - 7 mg / kg / day orally in evenly divided doses, given every 8 hours.
Alternative: 6 - 10 years old: 50 - 150 mg / day orally in divided doses, given every 8 hours.
Age 10 years and over: 150 - 300 mg / day orally in divided doses, given every 8 hours.
Treatment: 1/3 - 2/3 of the initial dose orally in divided doses, given every 8-12 hours. Usually started after 2 months of using the effective starting dose.
In what dosage is Propylthiouracil available?
Tablets: 50 mg
Propylthiouracil side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to Propylthiouracil?
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using propylthiouracil and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of serious side effects:
- fever, sore throat, headache, body aches, flu symptoms;
- pale skin, bruising or bleeding easily (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), unusual weakness;
- dry cough, difficulty breathing; or
- the skin blisters, peels, and a red rash appears.
Propylthiouracil can also cause symptoms of serious liver disease. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms of liver disease:
- low-grade fever, hives;
- nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
- dark urine, clay-like stools; or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Less serious side effects include:
- stomach pain, vomiting;
- dizziness, the head feels spinning;
- skin itching and a rash;
- decreased sense of taste; or
- hair loss.
Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Propylthiouracil Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using Propylthiouracil?
Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:
Allergy
Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.
Children
Due to reports of serious liver problems, propylthiouracil is not recommended for pediatric patients unless other drugs (such as methimazole), surgery, or radioactive iodine therapy have not been successful.
Elderly
No information is available regarding the relationship between age and the effectiveness of propylthiouracil in elderly patients.
Is Propylthiouracil safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = No risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
Breastfeeding
Research in women has shown that this drug poses only a small risk to the baby if the mother takes it while breastfeeding.
Propylthiouracil Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with Propylthiouracil?
Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.
- Acenocoumarol
- Anisindione
- Dicumarol
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Warfarin
Can food or alcohol interact with Propylthiouracil?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions may interact with Propylthiouracil?
Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:
- Blood or bone marrow problems (eg agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia) or
- Liver problems — Use with care. May worsen the condition.
Propylthiouracil overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
