Tapazole (generic name methimazole) is a medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. It can also be used prior to thyroid surgery and radioactive iodine treatment. Tapazole is available as a tablet that is usually given every eight hours. Depending on your age and severity of your symptoms, your doctor will prescribe a dose appropriate for you.
Frequent Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Tapazole's common side effects include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and itching. It can also cause dizziness, stomach pain and pain in the muscles, joints or nerves. Other frequent side effects include alopecia (hair loss) and swelling. Tapazole can also cause numbness, tingling, pulling and burning of your skin. These symptoms are rather harmless, but if they persist for several days, ask your doctor to adjust your dosage.
Serious Side Effects
Tapazole can cause serious side effects such as fever, chills, headache and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), the latter potentially indicating liver problems. Other serious side effects include right-sided stomach pain, sore throat and skin problems. Tapazole can affect blood cell counts and reduce white blood cell and platelet counts. Lowered white blood cells make you more likely to get an infection, and lowered platelet counts may cause unusual bleeding or bruising. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.
Additional Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Tapazole can also cause dizziness, skin pigmentation, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes) and sialodenopathy (inflammation of the salivary glands). In some cases, you may develop an insulin autoimmune syndrome that may lead to a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) coma.
Warnings
Do not take Tapazole if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to its components. You may have trouble breathing and swelling up of your throat, face and tongue.
Avoid combining Tapazole with propylthiouracil (a thyroid medication). This can lead to hepatitis (liver infection), hepatic necrosis (liver damage) and even death.
Do not use Tapazole if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The National Library of Medicine says that Tapazole can cause goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland) and cretinism (stunted growth and mental retardation) in your child. It may also cause scalp deformities and absent nipple formation.
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