Methimazole and Itching: What Users Say

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in August 2020 and was put on 20 mg of methimazole. Within 1.5 weeks, I gained a whopping 10 lbs. My doctor reduced my dosage to 10 mg, and my weight, heart palpitations, and sleepless nights slowly went away. I'm still having dry eyes, a little eye bulging in one eye accompanied by it being wider than the other, and blurred vision that I’m seeing an ophthalmologist for now. Now I'm dealing with little red bumps and the feeling like something is always biting me. I always think a bug is crawling on me, and I am itching all the time. I scratch so much that I actually end up with tiny sores, mostly on my arms. I just did my blood work on January 5, 2021, and was informed today that my levels are still low. I'm going to a new endocrinologist next week to see if we can get this under control ASAP. I’m tired of it all and I’m tired of going to so many doctors all the time. I want my life back!!!!"

• 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."

• Aut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I was on this methimazole medication for 3 weeks before I broke out into hives/rash on my feet, knees, hips, arms, wrists, and back. I have sensitive skin, so I'm used to being itchy, but this was the worst I've ever been - scratched my skin until it bled. It's been 3 weeks since I stopped taking it, and my skin is STILL reacting with itching and red patches. Benadryl did nothing, but thankfully I was prescribed Atarax, which saved my life. I have zero interest in trying this medication again, even though my doctors want me to. Not sure what to do next as all my symptoms (tremors, insomnia, sweating, constant hunger, brain fog) have returned."

• Gra...
• March 23, 2013

For Hyperthyroidism "After being diagnosed with Graves' disease, my doctor prescribed methimazole to bridge my symptoms until my procedure to 'kill' my thyroid. I noticed I no longer had extreme stomach pains and the shaking improved considerably. However, after a month of being on the medication, I broke out in itchy, uncontrollable hives. Benadryl didn't even get rid of them. Once I stopped taking methimazole, they went away after about 48 hours, but the itching was still prevalent. Now my stomach pains are back, and the shaking is worse."

• CC ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2016

For Hyperthyroidism "After 2 weeks of taking this medication, I began an extreme itch all over my neck and body. This itch lasted about 3 weeks. Then, severe back pain for 1 week. Weight gain. And extremely dry mouth and hair. Had to discontinue use. This medication scared me."

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "My hands were trembling, and leg muscles were weak, hair loss and 62 lbs lost. I was diagnosed with Graves. I started a low dose of methimazole 5 mg and kept doing labs, increasing 5 more mg at a time. I am now at a 30 mg dose, which my doctor considers a high dose and thinks it’s time to radiate the thyroid as I’m not in remission. Side effects were itching, slight nausea, joints aching all over instead of usual arthritic hands. Immediate and continuous weight gain every time I increase the dose. Feeling kind of lazy and sleepy. My labs are all normal, but I’m getting a goiter-like thing in my neck. But it’s been 2 years, so I will take the radioactive meds and switch to thyroid hormones. Would be interested in knowing how the radioactive swallow works out for others. Did side effects cease? They say there are no side effects after the radiation, whereas with the methimazole, you can have liver and kidney damage over too long a period."

• ORL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

For Hyperthyroidism "I took Methimazole for less than a week. Almost immediately, I had itchy all over my body, including my scalp, and pain on the right side of my teeth. Upper and lower all hurt-worse than the only toothache I ever had in my life. The pain was unbearable. I was told to take Benadryl and go to the dentist. I knew I couldn't have 10 toothaches! I figured it was Methimazole. Benadryl did very little for the itch. Then a rash broke out, and I was told to stop it and try the other drug. I was off it for 1 1/2 days, and my teeth quit hurting. Hmmm. The pharmacist told me I could take the Methimazole and my blood pressure medicine at the same time. I wonder if that is why all this happened? Maybe you can't take it all at once? Plus, I was on 40 mg of Methimazole. Maybe it was too high of a dose. I just wish there were more proper instructions on how, when, and with what to take this drug!"

• Out...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2022

For Hyperthyroidism "1. This is not the first time that I have been given a medication that caused more issues than it helped me. This is why I don't usually trust primary care providers to give me the right medicine anymore. 2. Taking this pill every 8 hours is impossible, it actually caused insomnia and completely destroyed my circadian rhythm trying to take this medication on time. Do you know anyone who stays up 16 hours to take the second pill and then sleep on time enough to catch 8 hours of sleep before the third pill? Yep, me neither... 2. I had side effects including: insomnia, itching, severe abdominal pain, trouble peeing, asthma, allergies, anxiety, severe muscle pain, joint pain, increased blood pressure, and high risk of anaphylaxis. 3. I had to get myself off the medication because the symptoms were unbearable. My glands swelled up! This is the first time this happened since taking the medicine! I am on half a pill a day, and it helps with the glands to swell less, but I am still miserable."

• DKM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2016

For Hyperthyroidism "1) The first 4-5 days were rough - very nauseous, but then it cleared up. 2) I take it in the evening shortly after I get home from work, by itself - no other medication for at least two hours, this was done on the recommendation of the pharmacist. Always with food. 3) Getting blood work done on a required basis to make sure nothing else is going on in the bloodstream. 4) Exercising and eating small balanced meals, drinking plenty of water. 5) Swelling or itching has not been an issue so far. 6) My heart rate is down, and I am more energetic."

• RoG...
• November 15, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "1st diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease in 2016. Symptoms were mild, occasional palpitations, weight loss, felt hungry, anxiety, warm, headaches. Endocrinologist started on 10 mg. Immediately gained weight, but since heart palpitations were occurring, was advised to work out less. Also noticed leg, back muscle pain, fatigue, itchy skin. Lowered dose to 5 mg 6 months later. Changed to new endocrinologist in 2017, dosage lowered to 2.5 mg daily. My weight back to normal, had no symptoms, but my TSH was low, often less than 0.5. Then in 2018, lowered to 2.5 mg every other day. In 2019, was advised to stop taking it. TSH was at 1.5-2.5. In April 2020, I started to feel heart palpitations, weight loss again, consistently felt through summer. Was put back on 5 mg daily, TSH 0.01. Been back on for 3 months, did gain weight, but not drastic like before. Felt itching again. I hope my test results in 2 months will allow me to lower the dose again or stop."

• RoG...
• November 15, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "1st diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease in 2016. Symptoms were mild, occasional palpitations, weight loss, felt hungry, anxiety, warm, headaches. Endocrinologist started on 10 mg. Immediately gained weight, but since heart palpitations were occurring, was advised to work out less. Also noticed leg, back muscle pain, fatigue, itchy skin. Lowered dose to 5 mg 6 months later. Changed to new endocrinologist in 2017, dosage lowered to 2.5 mg daily. My weight back to normal, had no symptoms, but my TSH was low, often less than 0.5. Then in 2018, lowered to 2.5 mg every other day. In 2019, was advised to stop taking it. TSH was at 1.5-2.5. In April 2020, I started to feel heart palpitations, weight loss again, consistently felt through summer. Was put back on 5 mg daily, TSH 0.01. Been back on for 3 months, did gain weight, but not drastic like before. Felt itching again. I hope my test results in 2 months will allow me to lower the dose again or stop."

• LL0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2022

For Hyperthyroidism "Methimazole caused an extremely severe allergic reaction on day 15, putting me in the emergency room for 11 hours. The doctor did not believe my medication caused it, so I was given 2 Benadryl. Symptoms were huge hives/welts over 90% of my body. A goose egg literally formed on the back of my skull, 3' by 1.5' wide. Intense itching, ripping at skin and bone. He sent me home with just a stronger antihistamine. When I woke up, my motor skills were gone, I could not walk and was almost blind, my eyes were swollen shut, and my husband called my endocrinologist. He saw me immediately and put me on Prednisone: 8 tabs for 2 days, 6 tabs for 2 days, 4 tabs for 2 days, and 2 tabs for 2 days. It is helping immensely. I am on day 3. I needed cortisone steroid treatment, this reaction was so severe. I was ordered off methimazole immediately and am not a candidate for beta blockers, so radioactive iodine and ultrasound are upcoming soon."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I took this medication and immediately felt a difference. Unfortunately, after only 4 doses, I had severe reactions. Pain in neck, chest, and left arm with numbness and tingling in fingertips. Rash on face with itching and burning. I discontinued medication and was placed on another. I do believe if I didn't have such a bad reaction, it would have worked. I just have to have use of my arm."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "I started this drug, methimazole, a week ago on a dose of 60 mg/day (the highest prescribed), and today I broke out in a crazy rash all over my body; terrible red bumps that itch like crazy. At first, I thought it was hives, but my doctor said it was a “classic” methimazole reaction. I’m supposed to take a lower dose, but now I’m nervous to take it at all, which is unfortunate because it was actually doing a good job regulating my heart rate..."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "Methimazole caused me to have extreme itchy skin all over my body. Another side effect I experienced was pins and needles. I had a full thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago, and I still suffer from those symptoms a little, but it’s controllable now."

• 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."

• Gen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2022

Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism "Diagnosed with Graves' disease. My thyroid ultrasound was unremarkable. The biggest symptoms before starting 5 mgs a day were moderate itching, mainly at night. The very first night of taking it, all my skin itchiness issues were a thing of the past. First follow-up in 2 weeks. So far, so good."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 13, 2024

For Hyperthyroidism "I was started on methimazole about six years ago, at 7.5 mg daily -- which I was told is a low dose. I am being treated for hyperthyroidism caused by thyroid nodules. While this drug keeps my thyroid labs within normal range, I find that I am always tired during the day and have developed sensitive skin/rashes that I didn't have before starting it. While methimazole does control other hyperthyroid symptoms, it won't 'cure' the thyroid nodules. I just don't feel like myself on this drug, but I don't want to go through radioactive iodine treatments, either, which I've read can cause other cancers. Sadly, the endocrinologists I've seen only seem to care about the 'numbers' in your lab work and don't care about how you actually feel. I am also worried about the liver damage that methimazole can cause -- and don't think it's good to be on this drug for the long term. Scary."

• sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "This is my 4th update. I went to the endo, and he told me to do RAI because if tapazole gave me a rash, other meds probably will do the same. So, on Feb 2, I'll take iodine and the 3rd scan to see how much iodine my thyroid absorbed. So, on the 4th of Feb, I will take the RAI. My endo said it will take a small amount that he doesn't need to get rid of the entire thyroid, just enough to keep normal levels and that probably I won't need synthroid. I think this is for the best. I stopped tapazole on January 15th because of the rash on one arm, but my legs were itchy too. The sensation of itchiness on my legs finally stopped, but my left arm started itching too. I scratched a bit, so now I have a bit of a rash too. The first 4 months of tapazole were okay, but after that... dizziness, stomach pain, and rash started. They lower the thyroid levels fine, but the side effects are too much."