Methimazole

Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It is also taken before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Methimazole comes as a tablet and usually is taken three times a day, approximately every 8 hours, with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Methimazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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skin rash</li>
<li>
itching</li>
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abnormal hair loss</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
<li>
loss of taste</li>
<li>
abnormal sensations (tingling, prickling, burning, tightness, and pulling)</li>
<li>
swelling</li>
<li>
joint and muscle pain</li>
<li>
drowsiness</li>
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dizziness</li>
<li>
decreased white blood cells</li>
<li>
decreased platelets</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
sore throat</li>
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fever</li>
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headache</li>
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chills</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
right-sided abdominal pain with decreased appetite</li>
<li>
yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
<li>
skin eruptions</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking methimazole, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methimazol, lactose, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), diabetes medications, digoxin (Lanoxin), theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur), and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any blood disease, such as decreased white blood cells (leukopenia), decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia), or aplastic anemia, or liver disease (hepatitis, jaundice). if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking methimazole.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.