Propylthiouracil prevents the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone.
Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or Graves' disease.
Propylthiouracil is usually given to people who cannot take other thyroid medication because of
pregnancy, allergic reaction, or other medical reasons.
Propylthiouracil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking propylthiouracil?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to propylthiouracil, or if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
liver problems; or
a blood disorder.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not use propylthiouracil
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective
birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Propylthiouracil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not
use propylthiouracil
while you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take propylthiouracil?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or
for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Propylthiouracil can be taken with or without food.
It is important to use propylthiouracil regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Propylthiouracil can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your
blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat,
flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and
vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.
Store propylthiouracil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of propylthiouracil?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about propylthiouracil?
Your pharmacist has information about propylthiouracil written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of propylthiouracil?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking propylthiouracil and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect
such as:
fever, sore throat, headache, body aches, flu symptoms;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding
gums), unusual weakness;
dry cough, trouble breathing; or
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
Propylthiouracil may also cause severe liver symptoms.
Call your doctor at once
if you have any of these liver symptoms:
low fever, itching;
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach, vomiting;
dizziness, spinning sensation;
mild skin rash or itching;
mild joint or muscle pain;
decreased sense of taste; or
thinning hair.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about propylthiouracil?
Do not use propylthiouracil
without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Propylthiouracil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not
use propylthiouracil
while you are breast-feeding a baby.
Propylthiouracil can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Propylthiouracil may cause severe liver symptoms.
Call your doctor at once if
you have any of these liver symptoms:
low fever, itching, nausea, stomach pain, loss of
appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I avoid while taking propylthiouracil?
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What other drugs will affect propylthiouracil?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
digoxin (Lanoxin, digitalis); or
theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic),
carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol
(Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
propylthiouracil. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of propylthiouracil?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009