Abstract |
Anti-thyroid drugs are widely used to treat diffuse toxic goiter ( Graves' disease). Of the two drugs currently available in the United States, propylthiouracil is prescribed far more often than is methimazole ( Tapazole). However, compared with propylthiouracil, methimazole can be given as a single daily dose, is cheaper, and, at low doses, is associated with less major toxicity; for these reasons, methimazole should be used for the routine management of Graves' disease when anti-thyroid drugs are selected as primary therapy. On the other hand, because of certain pharmacologic factors, propylthiouracil should be used in selected situations, particularly in patients with " thyroid storm" and in pregnant or lactating women.
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Authors | D S Cooper |
Journal | The American journal of medicine
(Am J Med)
Vol. 80
Issue 6
Pg. 1165-8
(Jun 1986)
ISSN: 0002-9343 [Print] United States |
PMID | 3755286
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Methimazole
- Propylthiouracil
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Topics |
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Graves Disease
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Metabolic Clearance Rate
- Methimazole
(adverse effects, metabolism, therapeutic use)
- Pregnancy
- Propylthiouracil
(adverse effects, metabolism, therapeutic use)
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