Propylthiouracil

Conditions Treated

Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism (a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, speeding the body's metabolism, and causing certain symptoms) in adults and children 6 years of age or older.Propylthiouracil is in a class of medications called antithyroid agents. It works by stopping the thyroid gland from making thyroid hormone.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

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

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
• headache
• skin rash, hives, blisters, bumps or peeling
• dark, rust-colored, brown or foamy urine
• swelling of the face, eyes, stomach, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• chest pain
• shortness of breath or wheezing
• coughing up blood

Propylthiouracil may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Propylthiouracil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day, once every 8 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take propylthiouracil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may decrease your dose of propylthiouracil once your condition is controlled. Continue to take propylthiouracil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking propylthiouracil without talking to your doctor.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking propylthiouracil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to propylthiouracil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in propylthiouracil tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin), and theophylline (Theo-24, Theochron, Theolair). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with propylthiouracil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the other medications you are taking, even if they do not appear on this list. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had leukopenia (decreased white blood cells) , thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets), or aplastic anemia (condition in which the body does not make enough new blood cells), or other conditions that cause low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets; or liver disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking propylthiouracil.