Propylthiouracil
Generic Name: propylthiouracil
Brand Names:
Propylthiouracil
DESCRIPTION Propylthiouracil is one of the thiocarbamide compounds. It is a white, crystalline substance that has a bitter taste and is very slightly soluble in water. Propylthiouracil is an antithyroid drug administered orally. The structural formula is: Each tablet contains propylthiouracil 50 mg and the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, and sodium starch glycolate.
Overview
DESCRIPTION Propylthiouracil is one of the thiocarbamide compounds. It is a white, crystalline substance that has a bitter taste and is very slightly soluble in water. Propylthiouracil is an antithyroid drug administered orally. The structural formula is: Each tablet contains propylthiouracil 50 mg and the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, and sodium starch glycolate.
Uses
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Propylthiouracil is indicated: in patients with Graves’ disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter who are intolerant of methimazole and for whom surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not an appropriate treatment option. to ameliorate symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy in patients who are intolerant of methimazole.
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Propylthiouracil is administered orally. The total daily dosage is usually given in 3 equal doses at approximately 8-hour intervals. Adults The initial dose is 300 mg daily. In patients with severe hyperthyroidism, very large goiters, or both, the initial dose may be increased to 400 mg daily; an occasional patient will require 600 to 900 mg daily initially. The usual maintenance dose is 100 to 150 mg daily. Pediatric Patients Propylthiouracil is generally not recommended for use in the pediatric patient population except in rare instances in which other alternative therapies are not appropriate options.
Side Effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of propylthiouracil. Because these events generally come from voluntary reporting from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Severe adverse reactions include liver injury presenting as hepatitis, liver failure necessitating liver transplantation or resulting in death (see WARNINGS ). Inhibition of myelopoiesis (agranulocytosis, granulopenia, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia), drug fever, a lupus-like syndrome (including splenomegaly and vasculitis), periarteritis, hypoprothrombinemia, and bleeding have been reported.
Interactions
Drug Interactions Anticoagulants (oral) : Due to the potential inhibition of vitamin K activity by propylthiouracil, the activity of oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) may be increased; additional monitoring of PT/INR should be considered, especially before surgical procedures. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents: Hyperthyroidism may cause an increased clearance of beta blockers with a high extraction ratio. A reduced dose of beta-adrenergic blockers may be needed when a hyperthyroid patient becomes euthyroid. Digitalis glycosides: Serum digitalis levels may be increased when hyperthyroid patients on a stable digitalis glycoside regimen become euthyroid; a reduced dose of digitalis glycosides may be needed.
Warnings
WARNING Severe liver injury and acute liver failure, in some cases fatal, have been reported in patients treated with propylthiouracil. These reports of hepatic reactions include cases requiring liver transplantation in adult and pediatric patients. Propylthiouracil should be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate methimazole and in whom radioactive iodine therapy or surgery are not appropriate treatments for the management of hyperthyroidism. WARNINGS Liver Toxicity Liver injury resulting in liver failure, liver transplantation, or death, has been reported with propylthiouracil therapy in adult and pediatric patients. No cases of liver failure have been reported with the use of methimazole in pediatric patients. For this reason, propylthiouracil is not recommended for pediatric patients except when methimazole is not well-tolerated and surgery or radioactive iodine therapy are not appropriate therapies. Biochemical monitoring of liver function (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) and hepatocellular integrity (ALT, AST) is not expected to attenuate the risk of severe liver injury due to its rapid and unpredictable onset. Patients should be informed of the risk of liver failure. CONTRAINDICATIONS Propylthiouracil is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the other product components.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy See WARNINGS . In pregnant women with untreated or inadequately treated Graves’ disease, there is an increased risk of adverse events of maternal heart failure, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, stillbirth and fetal or neonatal hyperthyroidism. If propylthiouracil is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking propylthiouracil, the patient should be warned of the rare potential hazard to the mother and fetus of liver damage.
Storage
HOW SUPPLIED Propylthiouracil Tablets, USP, 50 mg, are White to off-white round, biconvex scored tablets debossed “T” above “34” and bisect on the other side, supplied as: NDC: 71335-2901-1 Bottle of 100 Store at controlled room temperature 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Repackaged/Relabeled by: Bryant Ranch Prepack, Inc. Burbank, CA 91504
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Propylthiouracil used for?▼
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Propylthiouracil is indicated: in patients with Graves’ disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter who are intolerant of methimazole and for whom surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not an appropriate treatment option. to ameliorate symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy in patients who are intolerant of methimazole.
What are the side effects of Propylthiouracil?▼
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of propylthiouracil. Because these events generally come from voluntary reporting from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Severe adverse reactions include liver injury presenting as hepatitis, liver failure necessitating liver transplantation or resulting in death (see WARNINGS ). Inhibition of myelopoiesis (agranulocytosis, granulopenia, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia), drug fever, a lupus-like syndrome (including splenomegaly and vasculitis), periarteritis, hypoprothrombinemia, and bleeding have been reported.
Can I take Propylthiouracil during pregnancy?▼
Pregnancy See WARNINGS . In pregnant women with untreated or inadequately treated Graves’ disease, there is an increased risk of adverse events of maternal heart failure, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, stillbirth and fetal or neonatal hyperthyroidism. If propylthiouracil is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking propylthiouracil, the patient should be warned of the rare potential hazard to the mother and fetus of liver damage.
What are the important warnings for Propylthiouracil?▼
WARNING Severe liver injury and acute liver failure, in some cases fatal, have been reported in patients treated with propylthiouracil. These reports of hepatic reactions include cases requiring liver transplantation in adult and pediatric patients. Propylthiouracil should be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate methimazole and in whom radioactive iodine therapy or surgery are not appropriate treatments for the management of hyperthyroidism. WARNINGS Liver Toxicity Liver injury resulting in liver failure, liver transplantation, or death, has been reported with propylthiouracil therapy in adult and pediatric patients. No cases of liver failure have been reported with the use of methimazole in pediatric patients. For this reason, propylthiouracil is not recommended for pediatric patients except when methimazole is not well-tolerated and surgery or radioactive iodine therapy are not appropriate therapies. Biochemical monitoring of liver function (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) and hepatocellular integrity (ALT, AST) is not expected to attenuate the risk of severe liver injury due to its rapid and unpredictable onset. Patients should be informed of the risk of liver failure. CONTRAINDICATIONS Propylthiouracil is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the other product components.
Related Medications
Alkavervir
alkavervir
Manufactured by 3M. Dosage form: TABLET. Route: ORAL. Active ingredients: ALKAVERVIR (2MG). Application: NDA007336.
Atriplex Wrightii
atriplex wrightii
Dosage form: SOLUTION. Route: INTRADERMAL, PERCUTANEOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS. Active ingredients: ATRIPLEX WRIGHTII POLLEN (.001 g/mL). Category: BLA.
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se
cetearyl ethylhexanoate, propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate se
Standardized Chemical Allergen [EPC]
Regul Oil Serum purpose
Medical Disclaimer
This drug information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from the FDA National Drug Code Directory and Structured Product Labeling. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.