Propylthiouracil

Thyroid Crisis, Hyperthyroidism, Toxic multinodular goiter + 2 more

Treatment

6 FDA approvals

1 Active Study for Propylthiouracil

What is Propylthiouracil

Propylthiouracil

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Propythiouracil is a medication used to treat an overactive thyroid. It works by blocking the production of thyroid hormones, preventing them from being converted in the body. It is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition caused by an overactive thyroid.

Propylthiouracil

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Propylthiouracil Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Propylthiouracil

Propylthiouracil

1947

15

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Propylthiouracil, also called Propylthiouracil, is approved by the FDA for 6 uses including Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease .

Hyperthyroidism

Helps manage Hyperthyroidism

Graves' Disease

Helps manage Graves' Disease

Hyperthyroidism

Helps manage Hyperthyroidism

Therapeutic procedure

Helps manage inadequate alternative treatment options

Toxic multinodular goiter

Helps manage Toxic multinodular goiter

Graves Disease

Helps manage Graves' Disease

Effectiveness

How Propylthiouracil Affects Patients

Propylthiouracil is a medicine used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) caused by Grave's disease. It works by blocking the production of hormones in the thyroid gland, which reduces the amount of hormones in the body. It also stops the conversion of an existing hormone (T4) into a more potent hormone (T3). It is similar to another medicine called methimazole.

How Propylthiouracil works in the body

Propylthiouracil stops the thyroid gland from producing hormones. It does this by blocking an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase, which is responsible for converting iodide into iodine and attaching it to tyrosine molecules. Without this enzyme, the thyroid can't make hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which control metabolism and other bodily functions.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested measure of Propylthiouracil is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, including Toxic multinodular goiter, Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease. The magnitude of dosage depends on the approach of delivery (e.g. Oral or Tablet) indicated in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Graves Disease

, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg

, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Oral

Hyperthyroidism

, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg

, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Oral

Thyroid Crisis

, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg

, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Oral

Toxic multinodular goiter

, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg

, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Oral

Therapeutic procedure

, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg

, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Oral

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Propylthiouracil.

Common Propylthiouracil Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

2-Methoxyethanol

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Propylthiouracil is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.

9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Propylthiouracil is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.

Abatacept

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Propylthiouracil is combined with Abatacept.

Abetimus

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Propylthiouracil is combined with Abetimus.

Acteoside

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Propylthiouracil is combined with Acteoside.

Propylthiouracil Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The lowest toxic dose of the drug in rats has been found to be 1250mg/kg.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Propylthiouracil Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Propylthiouracil?

No active trials are currently assessing the potential of Propylthiouracil in treating Graves' Disease, Hyperthyroidism and other Therapeutic procedures.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Hyperthyroidism

0 Actively Recruiting

Thyroid Crisis

0 Actively Recruiting

Toxic multinodular goiter

0 Actively Recruiting

Graves Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Therapeutic procedure

0 Actively Recruiting

Propylthiouracil Reviews: What are patients saying about Propylthiouracil?

5

Patient Review

12/4/2012

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I've experienced pigment loss while on this medication, which is concerning to me. I'm hoping to discontinue it and try something else.

5

Patient Review

5/1/2021

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I've only been on this medication for four days, but it has already had a hugely positive impact on my life. The side effects (bitter taste in my mouth, metallic taste) are totally worth it!

5

Patient Review

5/1/2021

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I was struggling with my previous medication because it made me tired, nauseous, and my heart would race. But this new one I tried- within just four days- has really helped me. The taste is awful, but I've learned some ways to cope from reading other people's reviews.

4.7

Patient Review

2/28/2017

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

This medicine helped me a lot, but I did experience some negative side effects in the form of hives.

4.3

Patient Review

12/29/2019

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I just started taking propylthiouracil 100mg two times daily after an allergic reaction to methimazole 10mg once a day. So far so good!

4.3

Patient Review

7/6/2014

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

If you want to get rid of the taste, take a sip of water first and then swallow the pill quickly. This helped me with the metal taste.

3.3

Patient Review

4/17/2013

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and my doctor referred me to an endocrinologist. I am taking six pills two times a day, but I cannot tell if this medicine is working or not. I have dry eyes and pain in my jaw area that feels like a toothache, but it is affecting my whole mouth so I'm not sure if these are side effects of the medication.

3.3

Patient Review

3/27/2014

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

Although this drug was successful in raising my TSH levels, it caused some very uncomfortable side effects like scalp pharosis and skin rash. I'm considering stopping the medication because I would rather die of a heart attack than liver failure.

3

Patient Review

3/1/2012

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I've been taking this medication for just over a week now, so I'm not sure if it's working yet or not. I take three pills a day as prescribed. I have noticed a bitter lingering taste after taking the medicine, and also some headaches unless I eat something directly afterwards. I will continue to take the medication until I do a blood test in 3 weeks to see if it's helping with my TSH levels. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

2.7

Patient Review

11/21/2021

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I take this for Graves hyperthyroidism, but I will discontinue use as soon as possible. This medicine has caused me a lot of stomach problems, itchiness, dry eyes, brain fog, tinnitus and nausea. The taste is also incredibly unpleasant.

2.3

Patient Review

5/15/2013

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I've had uncontrollable diarrhea for the past three days. I'm using some old pills, but they're not helping much. If anything, I'm getting worse.

2

Patient Review

7/28/2021

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

I experience really intense heat flashes, even when I don't have a fever. The headaches are unbearable, and the fatigue makes it hard to do anything. Nausea is also a common side effect, regardless of whether I eat before taking the medication or not.

1.3

Patient Review

9/15/2013

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

The shaking is so bad that I feel like I can't walk.

1

Patient Review

8/11/2014

Propylthiouracil for Symptoms arising in Severe Thyrotoxicosis Thyroid Crisis

I started taking this medicine four days ago as a replacement for Methimazole. I was doing well on the other medication, but experienced some itching. Since starting this new treatment, I have had terrible headaches, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, and just feel awful in general.

1

Patient Review

9/1/2021

Propylthiouracil for Overactive Thyroid Gland

My sister tragically passed away after only taking this medication for a short time. This was back in 2007 when she was just 17 years old. I would not recommend this to anyone.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about propylthiouracil

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Clinical Trials for Propylthiouracil

Image of Pediatric Endocrinology at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, United States.

Vitamin D for Graves' Disease

9 - 17
All Sexes
New Hyde Park, NY

The goal of this randomized pilot feasibility clinical trial is to determine the feasibility of implementing a protocol for a larger trial to assess the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in pediatric patients (9-17 years old) newly diagnosed with Graves' disease. The main questions it aims to answer are: What are the recruitment and adherence rates for a larger trial using this protocol? Is the data collection process complete and robust enough for a larger trial? What are the potential barriers to implementing a larger-scale trial? Researchers will compare vitamin D supplementation plus standard methimazole therapy to methimazole therapy alone (with participants permitted to take up to 1000 International Units of vitamin D2 daily) to explore potential effects on thyroid hormone and antibody levels. Participants will: Be randomized to either the intervention or control group. Take study medications (vitamin D or placebo) as directed. Attend regular study visits for blood tests and clinical assessments. Complete medication logs.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Pediatric Endocrinology at Northwell Health

Sharon Hyman, MD