Methimazole and Headaches: What Users Say

• Tex...
• January 27, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "This medicine is brutal. After a short week of Methimazole, I began to start feeling aches in my muscles, nerves, and joints. I am miserable. I’m walking around here like a drunk lady. My head hurts too. My entire body feels like it’s been through a wreck. Dizziness, constipation, headaches, nausea, muscle pain, nerve pain, joint pain. I feel nauseated and dizzy and can’t go poop now! My stomach is feeling so bad. And I feel unwell all day. I’m not sure if I can keep taking this medicine. Has anyone else felt this way? Help me!"

• Pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism "I’ve been on Tapazole for several weeks now. I’ve seen many negative experiences online and wanted to share my early positive experience. I am currently on a low dose, and within the first 3 weeks, my hyperthyroidism has responded very well - levels were extremely high before and have come down to the upper end of the normal range. TSH is still low, but I’m told that takes longer to respond to treatment. The first few days on Tapazole were challenging but manageable: headaches, tiredness, overall feeling blah. I experienced some swelling from water retention as well as itchy skin. A couple of weeks in and most drug side effects have disappeared, and a lot of hyperthyroid symptoms have improved too. My heart is still racing, but overall I’m happy I tried this drug."

• Ken...
• May 10, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I have constant headaches every day! My left arm, hand, and side of my neck go numb, and my body aches. I hate it and don’t know what other alternatives there are out there besides some unknown mixture of chemicals that can cause liver failure and/or death. This is the worst treatment option for anything that is supposed to help you. I absolutely think this medication is harming me more than helping me."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I was prescribed a low dose to treat hyperthyroidism. My T4 and T3 were normal, but TSH was 0.01. After one month, I stopped taking it. Horrible back and joint pain, my hands are numb, constant headache, and weight gain. Can’t recommend this medication."

• dru...
• March 18, 2023

For Hyperthyroidism "It was a terrible experience for me. I developed thyroiditis following a severe cold, which in turn damaged my heart. I was subsequently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and was told that I had Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease, two worrisome nodules, thyroiditis, and another condition. The medical professionals suggested various treatment options, including drinking an iodine cocktail, undergoing laser surgery on the nodules, possibly having my thyroid removed, and taking medication. Interestingly, they initially believed that my hyperthyroidism was caused by a long-standing iodine supplement that I had been taking. However, it turned out that the cause was actually virus-induced hyperthyroidism with four insignificant nodules. I was prescribed a 10 mg dose of medication, but I experienced adverse reactions and promptly informed my doctor that I would be reducing the dosage. A few days later, I informed my doctor that I had stopped taking the medication altogether, as I was experiencing constant heart racing, elevated blood pressure, daily headaches, dizziness, weight gain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Prior to this, my heart rate had been too slow. As the patient, I believe that my doctor is working for me and should therefore focus on identifying the root cause of my condition."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2016

For Hyperthyroidism "I was put on methimazole 10 mg late May. Within a month, I had gained 10 lbs, my finger and feet became swollen, pressure headaches that would not go away after taking Advil, it hurt just to walk, back pains, and I was soooooooo tired. I complained to my doctor and she lowered the dosage to 5 mg, and then she took me off of it after my levels were okay. Then last week, I've had to go back on it again, but I've noticed that my symptoms aren't that severe this time, but I'm still continuing to gain weight. My doctor says I need to be on it and try to have my hyperthyroidism go into remission. I hate this drug! I've never felt this bad in my entire life, but I have no choice but to be on it."

• Nag...
• September 8, 2015

For Hyperthyroidism "I'm taking methimazole for about 4 months and already experienced side effects. I have a very bad burning in my tongue and mouth. My teeth have become very sensitive, and I have headaches every day. I told my doctor 2 times about this. He just runs the same tests on me, and he finds nothing. I think it's this medicine that's making all of this, but he just doesn't listen. I need help, 'cause these side effects are killing me!!!!"

• Tas...
• January 17, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I have Graves’ disease. I’m on and off this medication. I really don't like it but have no choice but to take it because I want to keep my thyroid as long as I can because once you take it out, all it will do is go to another organ, then there's another problem. I don't like the side effects of this medication: headache, nausea, constipation, dizziness, body aches, tired all the time, like you have no energy, low white blood cells. It sucks. They need to make a new medication. It’s no winning with this disease and medicine."

• Mik...
• January 6, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "Diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in August of 2019. First med was 10 mg methimazole daily. Then, 2 months later, upped to 15 mg daily. Most all symptoms subsided. 5 months later, some have started to return. Grumble heart. Sweats, cold clammy hands, and erratic heartbeat. However, it's better than what it was 5 months ago. Have some side effects of mild headache, joint aches, fatigue, and tiredness. Trying to make an appointment back at the endo. I wish it would all stop and go away. Strongly considering RAI or surgery. Just tired of waiting to feel normal."

• Srt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I feel like this is a miracle drug so far. I was diagnosed with Graves' disease and have been on methimazole for 3 weeks now. I had headaches for a few days and a few stomach issues, but my labs at the 2-week mark show it has brought everything but TSH down to almost normal. I am on 40 mg per day and 50 mg of metoprolol. I was desperate for any help up to the point I finally got in to see an endocrinologist. I haven't heard about a tapering dose yet, but wow! What a drastic change in such a short time."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2016

For Hyperthyroidism "Horrible diarrhea, headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, mental fogginess, weakness, flu-like symptoms, and the worst abnormal hair loss. I stopped taking this drug 2 weeks ago and want to know when these side effects will go away."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

For Hyperthyroidism "I'm struggling to stay on the methimazole, the headaches, dry skin, rashes, and aches are my reality every day. I'm currently taking 20 mg per day, they say they cannot decrease it. My levels must normalize before doing the radiation treatment. I've been reading your reviews about the radiation treatment, hence I will start researching it more intensively, as it sounds like it can be devastating to the body. I'm taking a gamble at the moment by stopping the meds just to feel okay again. I'm really not sure which is the right way forward."

• Meg...
• December 27, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "On 10 mg, this is my second week. In the first week, I started to notice headaches at the front of my head/forehead, and I take it at night before bed. I drink tons of water. I do get itchy a lot, but these headaches are ridiculous."

• Hyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2018

For Hyperthyroidism "I've been taking this drug for a week. The first week, I took it along with a new set of anxiety and allergy pills... and BOY, let me tell you, be careful driving while taking this pill. I was on the way to work in 8 AM Atlanta traffic and felt really woozy and dizzy in that traffic. I also was on an iced coffee binge that week, and it really upset my stomach. In addition to stomach pain, nausea, headache, and loss of appetite. I just recently found out I was hyperthyroid last October, and I battled back and forth with starting this medication. I honestly preferred the radioactive iodine based upon research, but my doctor advised this would be the best route for me to take. My symptoms have eased, and I don't suffer from as bad stomach cramps, nausea, and loss of appetite."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2022

For Hyperthyroidism "I always have a headache after taking methimazole, and I feel that my body temperature is getting high."