The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies in front of the windpipe just above the collarbone, says the Hormone Foundation. It secretes two hormones directly into the blood, and these hormones control the rate of your metabolism and the rate at which other organs in your body perform their tasks. You should consult a doctor who specializes in endocrinology for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid problems.
Methimazole (Tapazole)
According to Drugs.com, methimazole is an oral prescription medication that you take for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, which is also called overactive thyroid. If you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than your body requires. Methimazole lowers the production of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. The initial adult dose for moderate cases of hyperthyroidism is 10mg orally every 8 hours up to a maximum of 40mg per day. If you are pregnant, you should not take methimazole because it can harm the developing fetus, says Drugs.com. It can also make you more susceptible to infection by decreasing your white blood cell count. Other serious side effects include easy bruising or bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, blistering, peeling and red skin rash, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop taking methimazole and call your doctor.
Propylthiouracil
The Mayo Clinic states that propylthiouracil is an antithyroid medication that is orally active and is prescribed for the treatment of hyperthyroidism which occurs when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Propylthiouracil makes it difficult for your body to use iodine for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, thereby decreasing the amount of hormone available. The initial adult oral dose is 300mg to 900mg a day that you take in three equal portions at 8-hour intervals. You should be aware that propylthiouracil can cause liver problems which may show up as stomach pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark-urine, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. If you notice more than one of these symptoms, you should stop taking the drug and call your doctor, says the Mayo Clinic. Less serious side effects include dizziness or lightheadedness, heartburn, loss of taste, skin rash and sleepiness.
Levothyroxine (Levothroid)
According to MedlinePlus, levothyroxine is an oral, prescription medication that you take for the treatment of hypothyroidism which occurs when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone that compensates for the insufficient production of your thyroid gland. You take this drug as a tablet once a day on an empty stomach, and your doctor will start therapy with a low dose and gradually increase it, says MedlinePlus. Side effects may include weight loss, tremor, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
