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In Graves' disease, treatment with antithyroid medications must be given for six months to two years, in order to be effective. Even then, upon cessation of the drugs, the hyperthyroid state may recur. Side effects of the antithyroid medications include a potentially fatal reduction in the level of white blood cells.
Common side effects include itchiness, hair loss, parotid swelling, vomiting, muscle pains, numbness, and headache. [3] Other severe side effects include liver problems and low blood cell counts. [3] Use during pregnancy may harm the baby. [3] Propylthiouracil is in the antithyroid family of medications. [4]
Side effects of the antithyroid medications include a potentially fatal reduction in the level of white blood cells. Therapy with radioiodine is the most common treatment in the United States, while antithyroid drugs and/or thyroidectomy are used more often in Europe, Japan, and most of the rest of the world.
The onset of anti-thyroid effect is rapid but the onset of clinical effects on thyroid hormone levels in the blood is much slower. This is because the large store of pre-formed T 3 and T 4 in the thyroid gland and bound to thyroid binding globulin (99% bound) has to be depleted before any beneficial clinical effect occurs.
Thiamazole is a drug used to treat hyperthyroidism such as in Graves' disease, a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland begins to produce an excess of thyroid hormone. The drug may also be taken before thyroid surgery to lower thyroid hormone levels and minimize the effects of thyroid manipulation.
Medications such as beta blockers may control the symptoms, and anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole may temporarily help people while other treatments are having an effect. [1] Surgery to remove the thyroid is another option. [1] This may be used in those with very large thyroids or when cancer is a concern. [1]
Antithyroid drugs (propylthiouracil or methimazole) are used to reduce the synthesis and release of thyroid hormone. Propylthiouracil is preferred over methimazole due to its additional effects on reducing peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, [5] however both are commonly used.
Adverse effects are mainly due to chronic accidental overdose. Symptoms mimic those of hyperthyroidism and include headache, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, dyspnea, trembling, sweating, diarrhea, and weight loss. These effects can be reduced through titration of the dose levels, but this should be done by the prescribing physician. [4]