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Patient information: Antithyroid drugs (Beyond the Basics) Author Douglas S Ross, MD Section Editor David S Cooper, MD Deputy Editor Jean E Mulder, MD Find Print ANTITHYROID DRUGS OVERVIEW Antithyroid drugs (also called thionamides) are most often used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) caused by Graves' disease. These drugs block the formation of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland ( figure 1 ). (See "Patient information: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)" .) Antithyroid drugs have several benefits and a few risks. It is important to learn as much as possible about the treatment of Graves' disease and to discuss all of the possible effects of antithyroid drugs with your doctor or nurse. (See "Treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism" .) FUNCTION OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS Antithyroid drugs decrease the levels of the two hormones produced by the thyroid, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). (See "Patient information: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)" .) Antithyroid drugs may be used: As a short-term treatment in people with Graves' hyperthyroidism, to prepare for thyroid surgery or radioiodine. As a long-term treatment. Approximately 30 percent of people with Graves' disease will have a remission after prolonged treatment with antithyroid drugs. (See "Thionamides in the treatment of Graves' disease" .) To treat hyperthyroidism associated with toxic multinodular goiter or a toxic adenoma ("hot nodule"). (See "Patient information: Thyroid nodules (Beyond the Basics)" .) To treat women with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. You will need to take antithyroid drugs for at least three weeks (usually six to eight weeks or longer) to lower thyroid hormone levels. This is because they only block formation of new thyroid hormone; they do not remove thyroid hormones that are already in the thyroid and the blood stream. If you frequently miss taking the antithyroid drug, thyroid hormone synthesis may resume quickly and replenish thyroid gland stores, prolonging or preventing adequate control of the hyperthyroidism. TYPES OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS Two antithyroid drugs are currently available in the United States: propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI, Tapazole). Carbimazole (which is converted into MMI in the body) is available in Europe and parts of Asia, but not in the United States.

You will need to take antithyroid drugs for at least three weeks (usually six to eight weeks or longer) to lower thyroid hormone levels. This is because they only block formation of new thyroid hormone; they do not remove thyroid hormones that are already in the thyroid and the blood stream. If you frequently miss taking the antithyroid drug, thyroid hormone synthesis may resume quickly and replenish thyroid gland stores, prolonging or preventing adequate control of the hyperthyroidism. TYPES OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS Two antithyroid drugs are currently available in the United States: propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI, Tapazole). Carbimazole (which is converted into MMI in the body) is available in Europe and parts of Asia, but not in the United States. Methimazole (MMI)  — MMI is usually preferred over PTU because it reverses hyperthyroidism more quickly and has fewer side effects. MMI requires an average of six weeks to lower T4 levels to normal and is often given before radioactive iodine treatment. MMI can be taken once per day. Propylthiouracil (PTU)  — PTU does not reverse hyperthyroidism as rapidly as MMI and it has more side effects. Because of its potential for liver damage, it is used only when MMI or carbimazole are not appropriate. PTU must be taken two to three times per the day. Antithyroid drugs during pregnancy  — PTU used to be the drug of choice during pregnancy because it has a lower risk of causing birth defects. But experts now recommend that PTU be given during the first trimester only. This is because there have been rare cases of liver damage in people taking PTU. After the first trimester, women should switch to methimazole for the rest of the pregnancy. For women who are nursing, methimazole is probably a better choice than PTU (to avoid liver side effects). If you take antithyroid drugs, you should discuss your treatment with your doctor before becoming pregnant. Having radioiodine treatment at least six months before becoming pregnant can eliminate the need for antithyroid treatment during pregnancy. (See "Patient information: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)" and "Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy: Treatment" .)

If you take antithyroid drugs, you should discuss your treatment with your doctor before becoming pregnant. Having radioiodine treatment at least six months before becoming pregnant can eliminate the need for antithyroid treatment during pregnancy. (See "Patient information: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)" and "Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy: Treatment" .) Antithyroid drug side effects  — Most of the side effects of antithyroid drugs are minor, but major side effects can occur. Because there is no way to predict who will experience side effects, it is important to discuss all possible side effects before starting treatment. (See "Pharmacology and toxicity of thionamides" .) If you cannot tolerate antithyroid treatments, you can consider radioiodine treatment or surgery. (See "Radioiodine in the treatment of hyperthyroidism" and "Surgery in the treatment of hyperthyroidism: Indications, preoperative preparation, and postoperative follow-up" .) Minor side effects  — Up to 15 percent of people who take an antithyroid drug have minor side effects. Both MMI and PTU can cause itching, rash, hives, joint pain and swelling, fever, changes in taste, nausea, and vomiting. If one antithyroid drug causes side effects, switching to the other drug may be helpful. However, about half of people who have side effects with one drug will have similar side effects with the other. Nausea and vomiting may depend on the dose; spreading large doses out through the day can reduce side effects. Major side effects  — Fortunately, the major side effects of antithyroid drugs are very rare. Agranulocytosis — Agranulocytosis is a term used to describe a severe decrease in the production of white blood cells. This condition is extremely serious, but affects only one out of every 200 to 500 people who take an antithyroid drug. Elderly people taking PTU and those who take high doses of MMI may be at higher risk of this side effect.

Agranulocytosis — Agranulocytosis is a term used to describe a severe decrease in the production of white blood cells. This condition is extremely serious, but affects only one out of every 200 to 500 people who take an antithyroid drug. Elderly people taking PTU and those who take high doses of MMI may be at higher risk of this side effect. Agranulocytosis more commonly occurs within the first three months of starting treatment with an antithyroid drug, but can occur at any time. If you develop a sore throat, fever, or other signs or symptoms of infection, you should stop your medicine and immediately call your doctor or nurse to have a complete blood count (CBC). Serious and potentially life threatening infections, or even death, can occur before agranulocytosis resolves. However, once the antithyroid drug is stopped, agranulocytosis usually resolves within a week. Other — There are three other very rare complications of antithyroid drugs: liver damage (more common with PTU), aplastic anemia (failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells), and vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels associated with PTU). PTU-related liver damage typically occurs within three months of starting the drug. If you develop jaundice, dark urine, light stools, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or other evidence of liver dysfunction, you should discontinue the drug immediately and contact your clinician for assessment of liver function. PTU-related liver failure can be serious and potentially life threatening. The risk of liver damage from PTU is an important concern, particularly in children. For this reason, MMI is the first choice for treating hyperthyroidism. MONITORING THYROID HORMONES DURING TREATMENT During treatment, your blood thyroid hormone levels will be monitored periodically. Antithyroid drugs typically reduce levels of both T3 and T4, but levels of T3 may take longer to return to normal. TSH levels usually take the longest to return to normal. About 30 percent of people who take an antithyroid drug for one to two years will have prolonged remission of Graves' disease. It is not known if the antithyroid drug plays an active role in this remission or if it simply controls thyroid hormone levels until Graves' disease resolves on its own.

During treatment, your blood thyroid hormone levels will be monitored periodically. Antithyroid drugs typically reduce levels of both T3 and T4, but levels of T3 may take longer to return to normal. TSH levels usually take the longest to return to normal. About 30 percent of people who take an antithyroid drug for one to two years will have prolonged remission of Graves' disease. It is not known if the antithyroid drug plays an active role in this remission or if it simply controls thyroid hormone levels until Graves' disease resolves on its own. Checking for remission and recurrence  — No test can reliably predict remission of Graves' disease. While imperfect, the measurement of TSH-receptor antibodies is widely used in the United States and Europe to determine if a person is in remission. Usually, after one to two years of treatment, you will stop taking the antithyroid drug. Blood tests are usually performed two to three weeks after stopping the antithyroid drug. The blood tests are periodically repeated over six months to determine if hormone levels remain normal or increase over time (this is called a recurrence). If your TSH level is lower than normal, you have had a recurrence of Graves' disease. This can occur within 10 days of stopping antithyroid drug treatment, or it can occur several years later. If your levels of T3, T4, and TSH remain normal for six months, the prognosis is good. Recurrence after this time occurs in only 8 to 10 percent of people. WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION Your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our web site ( www.uptodate.com/patients ). Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for healthcare professionals, are also available. Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information  — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials. The Basics  — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials. Patient information: Thyroid nodules (The Basics) Patient information: Multinodular goiter (The Basics)

The Basics  — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials. Patient information: Thyroid nodules (The Basics) Patient information: Multinodular goiter (The Basics) Beyond the Basics  — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon. Patient information: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics) Patient information: Thyroid nodules (Beyond the Basics) Professional level information  — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based. Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading. Beta blockers in the treatment of hyperthyroidism Cardiovascular effects of hyperthyroidism Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy: Treatment Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism Disorders that cause hyperthyroidism Neurologic manifestations of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease Overview of the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism in adults Radioiodine in the treatment of hyperthyroidism Subclinical hyperthyroidism Surgery in the treatment of hyperthyroidism: Indications, preoperative preparation, and postoperative follow-up Thionamides in the treatment of Graves' disease Treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism Pharmacology and toxicity of thionamides The following organizations also provide reliable health information. National Library of Medicine ( www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html ) The American Thyroid Association ( www.thyroid.org ) Thyroid Foundation of Canada ( www.thyroid.ca ) Hormone Health Network ( www.hormone.org/public/thyroid.cfm , available in English and Spanish) Patient support  — There are a number of online forums where patients can find information and support from other people with similar conditions.

The American Thyroid Association ( www.thyroid.org ) Thyroid Foundation of Canada ( www.thyroid.ca ) Hormone Health Network ( www.hormone.org/public/thyroid.cfm , available in English and Spanish) Patient support  — There are a number of online forums where patients can find information and support from other people with similar conditions. About.com Thyroid Conditions Forum ( file://thyroid.about.com/forum ) [ 1-5 ] Literature review current through: Oct 2013. | This topic last updated: Apr 4, 2013. Find Print The content on the UpToDate website is not intended nor recommended as a substitutefor medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician orother qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions. Theuse of this website is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use ©2013 UpToDate, Inc. References Top Franklyn JA. The management of hyperthyroidism. N Engl J Med 1994; 330:1731. Cooper DS. Antithyroid drugs. N Engl J Med 2005; 352:905. Vitti P, Rago T, Chiovato L, et al. Clinical features of patients with Graves' disease undergoing remission after antithyroid drug treatment. Thyroid 1997; 7:369. Allahabadia A, Daykin J, Holder RL, et al. Age and gender predict the outcome of treatment for Graves' hyperthyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000; 85:1038. Azizi F, Ataie L, Hedayati M, et al. Effect of long-term continuous methimazole treatment of hyperthyroidism: comparison with radioiodine. Eur J Endocrinol 2005; 152:695.