Can you name drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
In the US, there are two antithyroid medications available—propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (also known as Tapazole). The medications are similar, as they both stop the thyroid from producing T3 and T4 hormones.
What are the medications recommended for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
The main medications used for the treatment of an overactive thyroid are known as anti-thyroid drugs. These reduce the production of thyroid hormones. Thiamazole (also called methimazole) and carbimazole are the most commonly used anti-thyroid drugs. If these drugs aren’t tolerated, propylthiouracil is sometimes used.
What are thyroid and antithyroid drugs?
The antithyroid drugs include carbimazole, methimazole, and propylthiouracil (PTU). These drugs are used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland) in order to reduce the excessive thyroid activity before surgery and to treat and maintain patients not having surgery.
What is the difference between carbimazole and methimazole?
Carbimazole has a higher molecular weight than methimazole, so 5 mg of carbimazole is equivalent to 3 mg of methimazole. The starting dose for carbimazole is 5 mg every 8 to 12 hours.
What is the best medication for hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is best treated by using levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid). This synthetic version of the T4 hormone copies the action of the thyroid hormone your body would normally produce. The medication is designed to return adequate levels of thyroid hormone to your blood.
Which drugs act on thyroid?
An antithyroid agent is a hormone antagonist acting upon thyroid hormones. The main antithyroid drugs are carbimazole (in the UK), methimazole (in the US), and propylthiouracil/PTU. A less common antithyroid agent is potassium perchlorate.
Is methimazole an anti thyroid drug?
Methimazole: an antithyroid medication that blocks the thyroid from making thyroid hormone. Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism, especially when it is caused by Graves’ disease.
Is propylthiouracil better than methimazole?
Methimazole — Methimazole is usually preferred over propylthiouracil because it reverses hyperthyroidism more quickly and has fewer side effects. Methimazole requires an average of six weeks to lower T4 levels to normal and is often given before radioactive iodine treatment.