Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using methimazole as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Methimazole use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of angioneurotic edema, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing.
- Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
General constitutional side-effects
- Methimazole use can sometimes result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea, vomiting, mild skin rash, and diarrhea.
- These constitutional symptoms can be self-limiting and resolve in a week or two.
- Taking methimazole with a small snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
Bone marrow suppression
- Methimazole has potential to induce bone marrow suppression or exacerbate any history of the same, thus resulting in reduced production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Bone marrow suppression can be a more common finding in the early phase of starting on this medication.
Less common side-effects
- Methimazole has potential to compromise liver function, thus slowing down overall body metabolism, appetite, and also, lead to development of symptoms of jaundice, with yellowing of skin and white of the eye.
- Methimazole also can compromise kidney function and ability to excrete, with reduction in the amount of urine formation and fluid and waste retention.
