Do not take methimazole if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Methimazole can increase your risk of bleeding. If you need to have surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Methimazole can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with methimazole, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You may need to keep taking methimazole long term to control your condition. Stopping the medication could cause your symptoms to return.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methimazole.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:
liver disease;
a blood cell disorder; or
a weak immune system.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use methimazole without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
Methimazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use methimazole if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take methimazole with a full glass of water.
Methimazole can be taken with or without food, but you should take it the same way each time.
Methimazole can increase your risk of bleeding. If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Methimazole can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
It is important to use methimazole regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You may need to keep taking methimazole long term to control your condition. Stopping the medication could cause your symptoms to return.
Store methimazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache, joint pain, fever, itching, swelling, or pale skin and easy bruising or bleeding.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with methimazole, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking methimazole and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
blood in your urine or stools;
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
headache, drowsiness, dizziness;
mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
itching, minor skin rash;
muscle, joint, or nerve pain;
swelling; or
hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before taking methimazole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Elixophyllin, Uniphyl, and others);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); or
a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with methimazole. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Your pharmacist can provide more information about methimazole.
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