Propylthiouracil Tablets BP 50mg

What you need to know about Propylthiouracil Tablets

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your tablets. It contains important information. If you are not sure about anything, or you want to know more, ask your doctor or a pharmacist. Keep this leaflet safe, as you may want to read it again.

Your tablets are called Propylthiouracil Tablets BP and they are part of a group of drugs known as anti-thyroid drugs which stop the body making too much thyroid hormone. This medicine has been prescribed for you. Never give it to someone else. It may not be the right medicine for them even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

In this leaflet:

1. What Propylthiouracil Tablets are and what they are used for
2. Before you take Propylthiouracil Tablets
3. How to take Propylthiouracil Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Propylthiouracil Tablets
6. Further Information

Do not take Propylthiouracil Tablets if you:

• Think you may be allergic to Propylthiouracil or to any of the other ingredients of Propylthiouracil Tablets. (These are listed in section 6.);

Please tell your doctor before you start to take Propylthiouracil Tablets if you:

• Have ever had an adverse reaction to Propylthiouracil or to any of the other ingredients of Propylthiouracil Tablets. (These are listed in section 6.);
• Are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast-feeding;
• Have ever had any problems with your liver or kidneys;
• Are older than 40 years of age;

Check with your doctor if any of the following applies to you:

Some cases of severe liver reactions, including cases with fatal outcome or requiring liver transplant, have been reported in both children and adults treated with propylthiouracil. You should inform your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of liver disease, such as nausea, feeling sick, diarrhoea, yellow discolouration of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, bleeding easily, itching or chills.

Are you taking other medicines?

Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Any mineral supplements in your diet which may contain iodine;
• Medicines which will reduce the number of white blood cells in your body and hence lower your resistance to infection. If you are not sure, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist who will be able to give you this information;
• Medicines containing theophylline, aminophylline or digoxin;
• Other medicines including ones that you have bought for yourself without a prescription.

These tablets contain Lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars contact your doctor before taking these tablets.

If you see another doctor or visit a hospital, remember to tell them what medicines you are already taking.

The following doses are intended as a guide:

ADULTS:

For management of hyperthyroidism and prior to surgery: the starting dose is between 300mg and 600mg a day (6 to 12 tablets), taken as a single dose or in divided doses. This may be gradually reduced to between 50mg and 150mg (1 to 3 tablets) daily as your condition improves.

In preparation for radioactive iodine therapy: The dose is as above and should be taken for several weeks prior to radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment should be stopped 2 to 4 days before iodine treatment.

For thyrotoxic crisis: The dose is 200mg (4 tablets) every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours. This is then reduced as the condition improves. Elderly patients will be given the adult dose mentioned above. Patients with liver or kidney problems may be given a lower dose.

CHILDREN:

Aged 6 to 10 years: The starting dose is 50mg to 150mg a day (1 to 3 tablets).

Aged over 10 years: The starting dose is 150mg to 300mg a day (3 to 6 tablets).

Neonates (babies less than 4 weeks old): The dose will be worked out depending on the baby’s weight. The usual daily dose is 5mg to 10mg for each kilogram of body weight.

If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses together. If it is almost time to take the next dose, wait until then and then carry on as before.

What to do if you take too many tablets: It is important not to take too many tablets. Contact your nearest hospital casualty department or a doctor for advice if you have swallowed too many tablets or if you think a child has swallowed any. Take this leaflet, and any tablets that you still have to show the doctor.

Tell your doctor immediately if you get:

• A fever, sore throat, rashes or ulcers in your mouth and throat, as this could be a sign that you are not making any white blood cells to fight off infection. If this happens your treatment should be stopped. However this is a rare side effect and occurs most commonly within the first two months of treatment and in patients over the age of 40 who are taking larger doses.
• Fever, joint swelling and pain, muscle aches, blood in urine, shortness of breath, rash.
  Propylthiouracil may cause inflammation of the walls of blood vessels which can be serious if not treated. This can occur even if you have been taking propylthiouracil for many years.

You should tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following for more than a few days:

• Rash;
• Itching;
• Hair loss;
• Skin colourations;
• Swelling (for example in the legs and feet);
• Being and feeling sick;
• Stomach upset;
• Loss of taste;
• Muscle or joint pain;
• Pins and needles and headache.

Possible side effects

Frequency unknown: Liver failure, liver inflammation.

Other rare side effects are:

• Anaemia, fever, weak and tender muscles, lupus-like syndrome ( seen as a red, scaly rash on the nose and cheeks and/or stiffness in the joints and malaise);
• Liver damage or inflammation, which can include hepatitis, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), confusion, coma and death;
• Kidney inflammation (blood in the urine), bruises and blood spots due to inflammation of the small blood vessels in the skin, breathlessness and cough;
• Slow blood clotting, bleeding and bruising more easily than usual.

If you feel unwell in any other way, tell your doctor as soon as you can.

Your body may make less white blood cells than normal which may make you more prone to picking up infections. Levels will go back to normal when you stop taking your treatment.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme on the MHRA website (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.