More Information: Propylthiouracil
Important information Read this medicine information sheet carefully each time you get this medicine filled.
Issue Date: 2010
Pronunciation: PROE-pil-THYE-oh-URE-a-sil
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Warnings:
Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported in patients who take this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of liver problems (eg, loss of appetite, itching, stomach pain, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the eyes or skin).This medicine should usually be used only when other treatments (eg, methimazole, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery) are not effective or appropriate.
Propylthiouracil is used for:
Treating an overactive thyroid gland in certain patients. It may be used to prepare the thyroid gland for surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine, as well as when surgery to remove the thyroid gland is not an option. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine is an antithyroid agent. It works by reducing the formation of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.
Do NOT use Propylthiouracil if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine
- Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to
you.
Before using Propylthiouracil:
- Some medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following
apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of blood or bone marrow problems, liver problems, kidney problems,
or lung or breathing problems
How to use Propylthiouracil:
- Use this medicine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine
for exact dosing instructions.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication
Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get this medicine refilled.
- Take this medicine by mouth with or without food.
- Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, space your doses evenly throughout the
day.
- If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost
time for your next dose, take the 2 doses together, then go back to your regular
dosing schedule.
- Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use this medicine.
Important safety information about Propylthiouracil:
- This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you
take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not
drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported in patients who take
this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of liver problems
(eg, loss of appetite, itching, stomach pain, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing
of the eyes or skin), especially within the first 6 months after you start this
medicine.
- Severe, life-threatening blood or bone marrow problems (eg, agranulocytosis) may
occur with this medicine. This usually occurs within 3 months after starting this
medicine but may also occur after this time. Tell your doctor right away if you
notice symptoms of infection (eg, fever, sore throat, severe or persistent headache,
rash, unusual tiredness or weakness).
- This medicine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood.
Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have
unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody
stools.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before you receive any medical
or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including thyroid function, complete blood cell counts, blood clotting
(eg, prothrombin time [PT], international normalized ratio [INR]), and liver function,
may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor
your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- This medicine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and
effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- This medicine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; they may be more
sensitive to its effects, especially severe and sometimes fatal liver problems and
blood or bone marrow problems.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the
fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss
the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. This medicine
is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use this
medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Propylthiouracil:
- All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.
- Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; mild hair loss; mild muscle pain; taste changes
or loss.
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness
in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in amount of
urine; coughing up blood; joint pain; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin;
shortness of breath; skin numbness or tingling; swollen or painful lymph nodes;
symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, severe or persistent
headache); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; loss of appetite; pale stools;
severe or persistent nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; yellowing of the skin or
eyes); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual swelling; unusual or persistent tiredness
or weakness.
- This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions
about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects at
- http://www.fda.gov/medwatch
- .
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fever; headache; itching; joint pain; nausea; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; skin numbness or tingling; stomach upset; unusual swelling; vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Proper storage of Propylthiouracil:
Store this medicine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist,
or other health care provider.
- This medicine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not
share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
- This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about this
medicine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like
more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.