Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Antihyperthyroid
Uses
- Treatment of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
- Treatment of angina in patients who have overactive thyroid.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid
or food.
When to take:
At the same times each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Prevents thyroid gland from producing excess thyroid hormone.
Time lapse before drug works:
10 to 20 days.
Don't take with:
Anticoagulants
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Bleeding, spots on skin, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin),
loss of consciousness.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center
or hospital emergency room for instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
Skin rash, itching, dryness.
Infrequent:
Dizziness, taste loss, sore throat with chills and fever,
abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea.
Rare:
Headache; enlarged lymph glands; irregular or rapid heartbeat;
unusual bruising or bleeding; backache; numbness or tingling
in toes, fingers or face; joint pain; muscle aches; menstrual
irregularities; jaundice; tired, weak, sleepy, listless; swollen
eyes or feet; black stools; excessive cold feeling; puffy
skin; irritability.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to antithyroid medicines.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have liver disease.
- If you have blood disease.
- If you have an infection.
- If you take anticoagulants.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Don't use.
Infants & children:
Use only under special medical supervision by experienced
clinician.
Prolonged use:
- Adverse reactions and side effects more common.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check thyroid function,
complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet
count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't
climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if
you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and
reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
No problems expected.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
