Antithyroid Drugs:
Antithyroid drugs are medications prescribed to patients who have overactive thyroid. The thyroid glands are butterfly-shaped glands situated in the neck. These secrete the thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) and are crucial for regulating breathing, heart rate, body weight, menstrual cycles, muscle strength, cholesterol levels, the nervous system, and many other functions. In people with hyperthyroidism, there is secretion of excess thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) leading to lesser amounts of thyroid stimulating hormones in the hypothalamus in the brain. Most common causes for hyperthyroidism include Graves’ disease, and nodular lumps in the thyroid (also known as toxic multinodular goiter). Hyperthyroidism presents itself in the form of symptoms like swelling in the neck, breathing difficulties, hyperactivity, infertility, increased bowel movements, increased heartbeat, palpitations, and weight loss or gain. Antithyroid drugs act by reducing the amount of thyroid hormone produced in the body. They are mainly thionamides, which reduce the further production of thyroid hormone. Pregnant women, and people with liver or kidney disease are not advised to take these medications.
Side effects of Antithyroid drugs:
• Itching.
• Rashes.
• Hives.
• Change in taste.
• Change in taste.
• Fever.
• Nausea/vomiting.
• Decrease in white blood cells.
• Liver damage.
• Vasculitis.
