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Methimazole Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 20, 2023.

Applies to methimazole: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Methimazole

Along with its needed effects, methimazole may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking methimazole:

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Methimazole

Some side effects of methimazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to methimazole: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General

Some of the more frequently reported adverse reactions have included skin rash, urticaria, nausea, loss of taste, and abnormal loss of hair.

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Lymphadenopathy, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, hypoprothrombinemia[Ref]

The onset of aplastic anemia (pancytopenia) or agranulocytosis may occur in hours to days. Most cases of agranulocytosis occur within the first 90 days of treatment, but this complication can occur even a year or more after starting therapy.

Studies have suggested that the risk of agranulocytosis is greater in older patients and that they have a higher rate of death.[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Jaundice, hepatitis[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Edema, periarteritis

Dermatologic

A 5-year-old female experienced aplasia cutis congenita coincident with in utero exposure to methimazole. She presented with hairless scars on her scalp. At birth the lesions were friable and bled easily, however, over time they became scar-like and thicker. At the time of conception, her mother was receiving therapy for Graves' disease with methimazole 20 mg daily. Aplasia cutis congenita has been reported as a possible teratogenic effect of methimazole therapy in multiple case reports. However, the causal relationship between the therapy and the skin defect is controversial, and anomalies related to methimazole have low birth prevalence.[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Skin rash, urticaria, abnormal loss of hair, pruritus, skin pigmentation[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, myalgia[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, loss of taste, headache, drowsiness, neuritis[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, sialadenopathy

Postmarketing reports: Acute pancreatitis[Ref]

Case reports for recurrent acute pancreatitis with a decreased time to onset after re-exposure to carbimazole/thiamazole (methimazole) have been received. The mechanism is not completely understood, but the presentation suggests an immunological mechanism.[Ref]

Renal

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Nephritis[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Insulin autoimmune syndrome

Other

Frequency not reported: Vertigo, drug fever[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Product Information. Tapazole (methimazole). King Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2001;PROD.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.