Indications
Methimazole is used for people with Graves' disease who have hyperthyroidism, and for people with toxic multinodular goiter, when surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not a suitable treatment for them. It is also used to ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism while a patient is getting ready for a thyroidectomy or for radioactive iodine therapy.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Methimazole works by stopping the thyroid from making new thyroid hormones, and that is why it helps in hyperthyroidism. It has no effect on the thyroxine and triiodothyronine already stored in the thyroid or circulating in the blood. It also doesn't interfere with thyroid hormones given by mouth or by injection, which keep working as they normally would.
The body takes up methimazole readily from the gastrointestinal tract. The liver metabolizes it, and it leaves the body in the urine.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Methimazole is Pregnancy Category D. Congenital malformations linked to its use are rare, but because of them other medicines may be the better choice for pregnant women who need treatment for hyperthyroidism, particularly in the first trimester.
Methimazole passes into breast milk. Even so, several studies found no effect on the clinical status of nursing infants whose mothers were taking it, especially when the infant's thyroid function was checked often (weekly or biweekly).
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.