| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To determine whether once daily administration of methimazole was as effective and safe as twice daily administration in cats with hyperthyroidism. DESIGN: Randomized, nonblinded, clinical trial. ANIMALS: 40 cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism. PROCEDURE: Cats were randomly assigned to receive 5 mg of methimazole, PO, once daily (n = 25) or 2.5 mg of methimazole, PO, twice daily (15). A complete physical examination, including measurement of body weight; CBC; serum biochemical analyses, including measurement of serum thyroxine concentration; and urinalysis were performed, and blood pressure was measured before and 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: Serum thyroxine concentration was significantly higher in cats given methimazole once daily, compared with cats given methimazole twice daily, 2 weeks (3.7 vs 2.0 micro +/- g/dL) and 4 weeks (3.2 vs 1.7 microg/dL) after initiation of treatment. In addition, the proportion of cats that were euthyroid after 2 weeks of treatment was lower for cats receiving methimazole once daily (54%) than for cats receiving methimazole twice daily (87%). Percentages of cats with adverse effects (primarily gastrointestinal tract upset and facial pruritus) were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that once daily administration of methimazole was not as effective as twice daily administration in cats with hyperthyroidism and cannot be recommended for routine use. |
| Authors | Lauren A Trepanier, Stacey B Hoffman, Mandy Kroll, Ilona Rodan, Laura Challoner
(Affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.)
|
| Journal | Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(J Am Vet Med Assoc)
Vol. 222
Issue 7
Pg. 954-8
(Apr 1 2003)
ISSN: 0003-1488 United States |
| PMID | 12685785
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Antithyroid Agents
- Methimazole
- Thyroxine
|
| Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Antithyroid Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Cat Diseases
(drug therapy)
- Cats
- Drug Administration Schedule
(veterinary)
- Hyperthyroidism
(drug therapy, veterinary)
- Methimazole
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Safety
- Thyroxine
(blood)
- Treatment Outcome
|
