Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking methimazole as follows:
- Methimazole use is either contraindicated or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of easy bruising and bleeding. Platelet cells produced by the bone marrow promote clotting of blood and prevent bleeding and loss of blood. Methimazole, by virtue of potential to induce bone marrow suppression, can reduce production of platelets, thus increasing the risk for bleeding and blood loss. Observe caution with any sharp objects to prevent any injury and consequent bleeding. Individuals taking blood thinners should be even more cautious, as their risk for bleeding increases with methimazole. Report any episodes of injury and bruising of skin with uncontrolled bleeding to your physician. Bleeding can also be internal and so, keep a close watch on the urine and stool, for any blood in the urine and stool to be reported. Blood in the urine can turn the urine red brown. Internal bleeding into the intestines can present either as frank blood, red in color in the stool or as partially digested blood, blackish brown in color. Report any of these findings to the physician for a change in plan of care to be considered.
- A lot of other nonprescription products and prescription medications can also influence the activity of methimazole in the body. So, be sure to mention your physician and pharmacist regarding your history with methimazole and check with them regarding safety, in the event you are being started on any new medications.
- Your physician could change the dose of methimazole, based on the lab results, relief obtained from symptoms of hyperthyroidism, or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, as scheduled. Be accommodative to the plan of frequent dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
