The thyroid gland is an important structure located in the neck that is responsible for regulating the body's metabolism. Sometimes, the thyroid gland can be overactive and lead to such symptoms as goiter, fatigue, weight loss and restlessness. In other instances, the thyroid gland is underactive and can lead to such symptoms as weakness, weight gain and brittle hair.
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine, commonly sold as Synthroid, is a medication that is used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). It can also be used to manage goiter, a condition in which the thyroid gland actually gets larger in size. Specifically, levothyroxine serves to replace the thyroid hormones that are lost due to the disease.
Drugs.com indicates that levothyroxine's typical effects include hair loss. Its serious effects can include trouble sleeping, a headache, menstrual irregularities, appetite changes and weight changes. Levothyroxine's other serious effects include sweating, a fever, nervousness and irritability. Notify a physician when this drug leads to these effects.
Taking levothyroxine while suffering with heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes and blood clots may actually lessen the effectiveness of this medication or make these conditions worse.
Levothyroxine is a tablet taken daily or as indicated.
Methimazole
Methimazole is a medication used to manage hyperthyroidism. MedlinePlus indicates that some of methimazole's common side effects include a headache, chills, stomach problems, drowsiness and dizziness. This condition can also lead to reduced platelets, swelling and abnormal hair loss. Talk to a physician when these symptoms remain for more than one week.
Methimazole's serious side effects include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), a fever, sore throat, right-sided stomach pain, chills and a sore throat. Its other effects include bleeding or bruising, skin eruptions, a fever and a poor appetite. Notify a physician when methimazole leads to these effects.
A change in methimazole's dose may be needed, especially when taking such medications as warfarin, anticoagulants and beta blockers.
Methimazole is a tablet taken three times daily.
Propylthiouracil
Propylthiouracil is a medication specifically used to treat an overactive thyroid gland, medically known as hyperthyroidism.
Drugs.com indicates that propylthiouracil's common effects include thinning of the hair, dizziness, a spinning sensation, vomiting and stomach problems. It can also lead to thinning hair, a loss of taste, a skin rash or itching. Propylthiouracil can also lead to muscle pain. Notify a physician when propylthiouracil's common effects remain for more than five to seven days.
Propylthiouracil's serious effects include a headache, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, clay-colored stool and nausea. These are all signs of liver problems. Propylthiouracil can also lead to a sore throat, trouble breathing, a dry cough, peeling of the skin and trouble breathing. Go to the emergency room right away when propylthiouracil leads to these effects.
A change in propylthiouracil's dose may be necessary when suffering from liver disease or blood disorders.
Propylthiouracil is a tablet taken daily or as prescribed.
