How long can you stay on PTU?
Although propylthiouracil is used for the total treatment of hyperthyroidism, duration of treatment necessary to produce a prolonged remission varies from 6 months to several years, with an average duration of one year.
What are the side effects of PTU?
Propylthiouracil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- hair loss.
- difficulty tasting food.
- numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands or feet.
- joint or muscle pain.
- dizziness.
- swelling of the neck.
How many times a day do you take PTU?
Propylthiouracil tablets are usually taken 3 times a day (every 8 hours). If you take too many propylthiouracil tablets, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
How long does it take for PTU to work?
Propylthiouracil should have some effect on your symptoms around three to four weeks after treatment starts. Your thyroid hormone levels should be stabilised within four to eight weeks. Continue to take the tablets for as long as you are advised to do so by your doctor.
Does PTU affect liver?
Antithyroid drugs carry a potential risk of hepatotoxicity. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is commonly prescribed for patients with hyperthyroidism. PTU, however, can induce liver injury, ranging from mild asymptomatic elevation of aminotransferases to acute liver failure (ALF).
What is the best medicine for hyperthyroidism?
Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include:
- Antithyroid drugs methimazole (Tapazole) or propylthiouracil (PTU): These drugs block the ability of your thyroid to make hormones.
- Radioactive iodine: Radioactive iodine is an oral medication that your overactive thyroid cells absorb.
Can methimazole cause kidney problems?
Hypothyroidism induced by thionamides (methimazole, carbimazole, and propylthiouracil) can cause kidney failure. Thionamides can affect kidney function by different immunological mechanisms leading to the development of different types of glomerulonephritis (113, 114, 115).
Can hyperthyroidism be cured permanently?
Yes, there is a permanent treatment for hyperthyroidism. Removing your thyroid through surgery or destroying your thyroid through medication will cure hyperthyroidism. However, once your thyroid is removed or destroyed, you’ll need to take thyroid hormone replacement medications for the rest of your life.
How long can you take antithyroid drugs?
Antithyroid medications usually alleviate your hyperthyroid symptoms in six to 12 weeks. While there is no standard for how long you will take the medication, you will most likely continue with it for 12 to 18 months.