Tapazole Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tapazole (methimazole) is an antithyroid medicine used to treat hyperthyroidism, including in Graves' disease and toxic multinodular goiter. It is also used to help control symptoms before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Tapazole works by blocking the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone, and it is available in generic form.

What is Tapazole Tablet

Tapazole (methimazole) is an anti-thyroid drug used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Tapazole is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Tapazole is available in generic form.

Tapazole Tablet uses

• Treats hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) in patients with Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goiter when surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not appropriate
• Used to improve symptoms of hyperthyroidism before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy

Benefits of Tapazole Tablet

• Reduces the amount of thyroid hormone the body makes, helping control symptoms of an overactive thyroid
• Lowers prolactin effectively
• Usually requires only twice-weekly dosing
• May reduce the size of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors
• Has a relatively long duration of action

How Tapazole Tablet works

Tapazole works by blocking the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone. It does not get rid of thyroid hormone that is already made or stored, and it does not affect thyroid hormone taken as medicine.

Tapazole Tablet dosage

Tapazole is taken by mouth, usually every 8 hours, split into three doses a day. Take your doses at regular times to keep a steady amount of the medicine in your body. Follow all directions on your prescription label and do not take more or less than recommended, or for longer than recommended.

If a child is taking this medicine, tell the doctor about any changes in the child's weight, since children's doses are based on weight. Take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit, even if you feel fine or have no symptoms. Tell your surgeon ahead of time if you are taking this medicine before any surgery.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — do not double up.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Tapazole Tablet

Common

• Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach
• Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
• Numbness or tingling feeling
• Rash, itching, skin discoloration
• Muscle or joint pain
• Hair loss
• Decreased sense of taste

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of serious infection: sudden weakness or feeling ill, fever, chills, sore throat, cold or flu symptoms
• Painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, red or swollen gums
• Pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding
• Swollen glands in the neck or jaw
• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
• Changes in the amount of urine produced

Warnings and precautions

• Taking this medicine during the first three months of pregnancy can cause rare but serious birth defects in the baby, including skin, face, and digestive system problems. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• This medicine can cause a serious, sometimes life-threatening drop in certain blood cells called agranulocytosis. Report any fever or sore throat to your doctor right away.
• This medicine can cause liver damage, including rare cases of liver failure. Tell your doctor about any symptoms of liver problems.
• This medicine can cause an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), so your doctor will need to monitor your thyroid levels regularly and adjust your dose as needed.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
• Tapazole is not recommended during the first three months of pregnancy and should only be used in the last six months of pregnancy if your doctor says it's necessary, because it can harm the developing baby. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk with your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
• Significant kidney disease requires clinician assessment.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Watch for signs of liver problems such as loss of appetite, itching, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, nausea, tiredness, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Your doctor may need to stop the medicine if liver tests become abnormal.
• Alcohol may worsen dizziness and low blood pressure.
• May cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure; avoid driving if affected.

Storage

• Store at controlled room temperature, 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).
• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection, such as sudden weakness, fever, chills, sore throat, painful mouth sores, or pale skin with easy bruising or unusual bleeding.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice swollen glands in your neck or jaw, or signs of liver problems like nausea, stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical help or contact your local poison control center right away.
• Report immediately to your doctor any signs of illness, especially sore throat, skin eruptions, fever, headache, or general feeling of being unwell.

Alternatives

• Bromocriptine
• Parlodel
• Quinagolide where available