What is propylthiouracil 50 mg used for?
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.
How do you prescribe PTU?
The dosage is as follows: Adults: Propylthiouracil is administered orally, initially as 300 mg/day in three divided doses every 8 hours (may reach up to 600 to 900 mg/day). The general maintenance dose after the initial treatment is 100 to 150 mg/day. The dose is adjusted to maintain normal TSH, T3, and T4 levels.
Can you overdose on PTU?
Overdose symptoms may include fever, chills, itching, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, swelling, headache, or joint pain. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
How long can you take propylthiouracil?
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.
Can I take PTU once a day?
Propylthiouracil tablets are usually taken 3 times a day (every 8 hours).
What should be monitored when taking propylthiouracil?
Because propylthiouracil may cause hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding, monitoring of prothrombin time should be considered during therapy with the drug, especially before surgical procedures. Thyroid function tests should be monitored periodically during therapy.
Which is better PTU or methimazole?
Methimazole — Methimazole is usually preferred over propylthiouracil because it reverses hyperthyroidism more quickly and has fewer side effects. Methimazole requires an average of six weeks to lower T4 levels to normal and is often given before radioactive iodine treatment.
Does PTU affect TSH?
Propylthiouracil can cause hypothyroidism necessitating routine monitoring of TSH and free T4 levels with adjustments in dosing to maintain a euthyroid state.
Does PTU make you sleepy?
headache, drowsiness, dizziness; swelling in your hands or feet; decreased sense of taste; or. hair loss.
Is PTU more potent than methimazole?
In patients with mild or moderate hyperthyroidism, normal free T4 was achieved at similar rates in the three groups. However, in patients with severe hyperthyroidism (i.e., free T4 ≥7 ng/dL), higher-dose methimazole was more effective than lower-dose methimazole or PTU.
What will be the toxicity of Thioamides?
Though rare, a serious toxicity associated with the thioamides is which of the following? Rarely, the thioamides cause severe adverse reactions that include agranulocytosis, vasculitis, hepatic damage, and hypoprothrombinemia.
Does PTU cause weight gain?
Before using propylthiouracil Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to propylthiouracil or any other medicines.
How often should I take propylthiouracil ( PTU ) in adults?
The initial adult dose of PTU is 300 mg/day divided into 3 divided doses. PTU is usually administered every eight hours. Patients with large goiters may require initial doses up to 900 mg daily. The usual long-term adult dose after initial treatment is 100-150 mg/day.
How much propylthyracil should I take on a daily basis?
Initial 200-300 mg PO q4-6hr initially on Day 1 (may require 800-1200 mg/day), then reduce gradually; some practitioners propose an initial dose of 600-1000 mg with gradual dose reduction after initial response Maintenance: 50 mg PO q8-12hr for up to 12-18 months; then taper and discotinue if euthyroidism restored (TSH) is normal
How often should I take propylthiouracil for goiters?
Initially, 300 mg/day PO divided every 8 hours. May increase to 400 mg/day PO in patients with severe hyperthyroidism and/or very large goiters. Doses of 600 to 900 mg/day PO are sometimes needed initially.
What are the side effects of taking propylthiouracil?
Instruct patients taking PTU to immediately report any symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity, vasculitis, or agranulocytosis, including fever or a sore throat, headache, skin eruptions, hematuria, decreased urine output, dyspnea, or hemoptysis to their prescriber. [45237] Hepatotoxicity is a potential complication of propylthiouracil, PTU.