propylthiouracil

What is the most important information I should know about propylthiouracil?

What is propylthiouracil?

Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), Graves' disease, or toxic goiter (enlarged thyroid). This medicine is sometimes given to control symptoms just before you undergo thyroid surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine.

Propylthiouracil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking propylthiouracil?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver problems.

In very rare cases, propylthiouracil has caused liver failure and death in pregnant women during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Propylthiouracil may cause liver failure in children, but is sometimes used in children who cannot be treated with other medications. Do not give this medicine to a child without your doctor's advice.

How should I take propylthiouracil?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Propylthiouracil is usually taken 3 times per day.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your thyroid.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include fever, chills, itching, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, swelling, headache, or joint pain.

What should I avoid while taking propylthiouracil?

What are the possible side effects of propylthiouracil?

• nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain;
• itching;
• fever, tiredness;
• loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

• fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, feeling light-headed;
• unusual bleeding;
• purple or red discoloration of your skin;
• skin rash, skin pain or swelling;
• pink or dark urine, foamy urine, little or no urination;
• shortness of breath, or if you cough up blood; or
• new or worsening symptoms of lupus --joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• itching or tingling, nerve pain;
• joint or muscle pain;
• swollen glands;
• headache, drowsiness, dizziness;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• decreased sense of taste; or
• hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect propylthiouracil?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin (digitalis);
• theophylline;
• heart or blood pressure medication; or
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect propylthiouracil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about propylthiouracil.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 6/11/2021.