Uses of Methimazole

Methimazole is used in adults to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). It is also used to treat and prepare for thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) or for radioactive iodine treatment or used when the overactive thyroid gland cannot be removed. 

Therapeutic Category

Methimazole: Anti thyroid agent

How Methimazole works

Methimazole works by stopping the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone and thus is effective in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. 

Common side effects of Methimazole

• Anorexia (an eating disorder)
• Muscle pain
• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Neuritis (inflammation of a nerve, often with pain or tenderness)
• Edema (swelling due to fluid build-up)
• Numbness
• Hair loss
• Heart burn
• Hives
• Skin pigmentation
• Loss of taste
• Vertigo (reeling sensation) 

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• In case of accidental overdose or poisoning
• Symptoms of antithyroid arthritis syndrome such as pain that spreads from one joint to another
• Symptoms of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessel) including rash, hematuria (blood in urine) or decreased urine output, shortness of breath or hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Symptoms of agranulocytosis (decrease in white blood cell count) such as frequent infection with fever, chills, sore throat
• Symptoms of liver dysfunction such as jaundice (yellowish discolouration of skin and whites of the eye), loss of appetite, itching and/or pain at right upper-quadrant of stomach
• Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis such as severe stomach pain radiating to back, rapid heartbeat, fever, nausea and vomiting
• Signs of exfoliative dermatitis such as redness or peeling of the skin over large areas of your body

Health Tips for Methimazole

• Methimazole is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women unless it is considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking it
• Methimazole is not recommended for use in breast feeding women as this medicine passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking it
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to methimazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine