Skip to main content

Propylthiouracil Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 2, 2023.

Applies to propylthiouracil: oral tablet.

Warning

Oral route (Tablet)

Severe liver injury and acute liver failure, including fatalities, have been reported with propylthiouracil. Liver transplantation was required in some cases. Reserve propylthiouracil for patients who can not tolerate methimazole when radioactive iodine therapy or surgery are not appropriate treatment options. Propylthiouracil may be the preferred treatment when an antithyroid drug is indicated during or just prior to the first trimester of pregnancy, because of the risk of fetal abnormalities associated with methimazole.

Serious side effects of Propylthiouracil

Along with its needed effects, propylthiouracil 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 propylthiouracil:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking propylthiouracil:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Propylthiouracil

Some side effects of propylthiouracil 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 propylthiouracil: oral tablet.

General

The more commonly reported adverse events have included nausea, taste perversion, and itching.

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Asymptomatic liver function test abnormalities (increased serum bilirubin, alanine transaminase and/or alkaline phosphatase concentrations), which are reversible on dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment

Frequency not reported: Liver injury presenting as hepatitis, liver failure necessitating liver transplantation jaundice (usually cholestatic), hepatic necrosis, hepatic failure[Ref]

Liver injury resulting in liver failure presenting as hepatitis, liver failure necessitating liver transplantation or resulting in death, has been reported. Cases of liver injury and death were reported in women during pregnancy; two reports of liver failure and death have been received in newborns exposed to this drug in utero.[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Vasculitis syndrome, lupus-like syndrome (including splenomegaly and vasculitis), sialadenopathy[Ref]

Vasculitis resulting in severe complications and death have been reported. These cases have included glomerulonephritis, leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis, alveolar/pulmonary hemorrhage, cerebral angiitis, and ischemic colitis. Most were associated with anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-positive vasculitis.[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (Less than 0.1%): Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, hemorrhage, granulocytopenia

Frequency not reported: Hypoprothrombinemia, lymphadenopathy[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Skin rash, urticaria

Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, abnormal loss of hair, pruritus, skin pigmentation, lightening of hair color, lymphadenopathy, mild papular skin rashes, leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Rare (Less than 0.1%): Vomiting

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Increase of decrease in urination[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Edema[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Periarteritis, arthralgia, myalgia, arthritis, myopathy, backache[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Paresthesias, loss of taste, taste perversion, headache, drowsiness, neuritis, vertigo, encephalopathy, numbness or tingling of fingers, toes, or face, cerebral angiitis[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Fever[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Sore, red, watery eyes (recurrent keratitis, conjunctival disorders)[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Acute glomerulonephritis, nephritis, glomerulonephritis[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Interstitial pneumonitis, alveolar/pulmonary hemorrhage[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Product Information. Propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil). Lederle Laboratories. 2001;PROD.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp 2006.

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.