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Tapazole, |Tapazole

Tapazole

Generic Name: methimazole (meth IH ma zole)
Brand Names: Tapazole

What is methimazole?

Methimazole prevents the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone.

Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid).

Methimazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about methimazole?

Methimazole can affect the blood causing decreased levels of red and white blood cells and platelets. This may cause an increased risk of infection, serious bleeding, anemia, and other problems. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, coughing, or painful or difficult urination (may indicate low white blood cells); such as unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, nosebleeds, black, bloody, or tarry stools, or blood in urine (may indicate low platelets); or unusual tiredness or weakness (may indicate low red blood cells).

Methimazole can lower the activity of the immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with methimazole. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methimazole?

Before taking methimazole, tell your doctor if you have

• liver problems; or

• a blood disorder.

You may not be able to take methimazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

How should I take methimazole?

Take methimazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Methimazole can be taken with or without food however, it should be taken the same way every day (i.e., either with or without food).

It is important to take methimazole regularly to get the most benefit.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with methimazole to monitor progress and side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a methimazole overdose may include nausea, vomiting, headache, joint pain, fever, itching, rash, numbness or tingling, liver problems, blood problems, and others.

What should I avoid while taking methimazole?

Methimazole can lower the activity of the immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with methimazole. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Methimazole side effects

Methimazole can affect the blood causing decreased levels of red and white blood cells and platelets. This may cause an increased risk of infection, serious bleeding, anemia, and other problems. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, coughing, or painful or difficult urination (may indicate low white blood cells); such as unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, nosebleeds, black, bloody, or tarry stools, or blood in urine (may indicate low platelets); or unusual tiredness or weakness (may indicate low red blood cells).

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take methimazole, and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:

• headache;

• nausea or vomiting;

• itching; or

• muscle aches or pains.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect methimazole?

Before taking methimazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Elixophyllin, others);

• digoxin (Lanoxin);

• clozapine (Clozaril); or

• acebutolol (Sectral), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran XL), or timolol (Blocadren).

You may not be able to take methimazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methimazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about methimazole written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Methimazole is available with a prescription under the brand name Tapazole. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Tapazole 5 mg-white, round, scored tablets

• Tapazole 10 mg-white, round, scored tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.