Type of medicine: antithyroid
Generic and brand names: propylthiouracil, oral; PTU
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat conditions in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This medicine may also be used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment.
This medicine is usually only given to people who don’t do well with other thyroid medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more or less of it than directed. It may take several days or weeks for this medicine to work. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
You may take this medicine either on an empty stomach or with food, but you should always take it the same way.
Take doses of this medicine regularly around the clock (usually 3 times daily, every 8 hours).
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, take both doses together. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, headache, joint pain, fever, itching, swelling, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, rash, numbness, tingling.
This medicine can serious cause liver problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop unexplained tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, unexplained stomach pain, light-colored stools, easy bruising, itching, or yellowing of your eyes and skin. These are signs of possible liver damage.
This medicine can rarely cause problems with blood cells, resulting in increased risk of infection, bleeding, anemia, or other problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, cough, or skin sores; any unusual bleeding or bruising; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
If you get an injury, infection, or any kind of illness while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever; chills; sore throat; unexplained cough; nausea; vomiting; severe stomach pain; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; severe itching; yellowish eyes or skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; peeling or blistering of the skin; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; trouble urinating; severe headache.
Other: Mild headache, stomach pain, dizziness, mild itching, hair loss, muscle or joint pain, change in sense of taste, drowsiness.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
