Introduction
PTU 50 belongs to a group of medicine called anti-thyroid agents. It is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It works by reducing the production of a hormone called thyroxine by the thyroid gland.
PTU 50 may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It can be taken with or without food. It should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and how often you should take them. You should take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Do not stop taking the medicine even if you feel better unless the doctor tells you so.
Taking this medicine may cause few common side effects such as skin rash, headache, skin pigmentation, nausea, and muscle pain or weakness. Let your doctor know if any of these side effects do not go away with time or get worse.
Before using this medicine, inform your doctor if you have any problems with your liver or kidneys. You should also tell your doctor all the other medications you are taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctors before using the medicine.
Side effects of PTU 50
Common
- Skin rash
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Pain
- Joint stiffness
- Nausea
- Skin pigmentation
- Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation)
How to use PTU 50
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. PTU 50 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How PTU 50 works
PTU 50 is an anti-thyroid medication. It works by reducing the amount of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Indication
Hyperthyroidism
Administration
Should be taken with food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Hyperthyroidism
Adult: 150-450 mg daily in divided doses. For severe cases, initial doses of 600-1200 mg daily have been used. Maintenance dose for euthyroid patients: 50-150 mg daily. Treatment is usually continued for 1-2 yr.
Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction is recommended.
Child Dose
Oral
Hyperthyroidism
Child: Neonates: 2.5-5 mg/kg bid; 1 mth-1 yr: 2.5 mg/kg tid; 1-5 yr: 25 mg tid; 5-12 yr: 50 mg tid; 12-18 yr: 100 mg tid.
Renal Dose
Renal impairment:
CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation
<10 Reduce dose by 50%.
10-50 Reduce dose by 25%.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity, pregnancy, lactation.
Mode of Action
Propylthiouracil inhibits the production of thyroid hormones by preventing iodine from being oxidised in the thyroid gland. It also blocks the peripheral deiodination of thyroxine to tri-iodothyronine.
Precaution
Reserve use for patients unable to tolerate any other treatments e.g. methimazole, radioactive iodine or surgery. Inform patient of liver failure risk and to report any signs of liver dysfunction (e.g. loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, dark coloured urine, light coloured stools, jaundice, right upper-quadrant pain) or agranulocytosis (e.g. fever, sore throat) immediately. Stop treatment upon signs of agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, fever, liver injury, elevated LFT above 3 times the upper limit of normal, or exfoliative dermatitis. Regular monitoring of thyroid function and CBC is advisable. Monitor prothrombin time regularly during treatment, especially before surgical procedures.
Lactation: distributed in breast milk, contraindicated by some sources (AAP Committee states compatible w/ nursing ; AAFP states safe for nursing)
Side Effect
Mild leukopenia, lupus-like syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis, thrombocytopenia. Skin rash, urticaria, arthralgia and fever. GI discomfort, vomiting, headache.
Potentially Fatal: Agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, liver injury and liver failure.
Interaction
May potentiate activity of anticoagulants. Doses of β-blockers, digitalis glycosides and theophylline may need to be reduced when patient becomes euthyroid.