Propylthiouracil

Aka: Propylthiouracil, PTU

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II. Indications

  1. Thionamide (Methimazole or Propylthiouracil) Indications
    1. Hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents
    2. Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy (first trimester for PTU, Methimazole after)
    3. Severe Grave's Disease (e.g. Thyroid Storm)
    4. Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
  2. Methimazole is the preferred first-line Thionamide (over PTU) in most cases due to lower hepatotoxicity
  3. Reasons to use Propylthiouracil (PTU) instead of Methimazole
    1. Lactation
    2. Pregnancy (both PTU and Methimazole are Category D)
      1. Use Propylthiouracil (PTU) in first trimester
      2. Use Methimazole in second and third trimester

III. Mechanism

  1. Thionamides block T3 and T4 synthesis (by inhibiting Thyroid peroxidase)
    1. Thyroid peroxidase normally converts inorganic Iodide ions to organic Iodine
    2. Organic Iodine is required for Thyroxine synthesis
  2. Propylthiouracil also blocks T4 to T3 conversion in peripheral tissue

IV. Medications

  1. Propylthiouracil (PTU) 50 mg tablets

V. Dosing: Hyperthyroidism in Adults

  1. Target dose to Free T4 high end of normal range
  2. Hyperthyroidism
    1. Start
      1. Subclinical Hyperthyroidism: 50 to 100 mg orally divided three times daily
      2. Moderate Hyperthyroidism: 100 to 150 mg orally three times daily
      3. Severe Hyperthyroidism: 200 to 400 mg orally three times daily
    2. Maintenance
      1. Titrate Propylthiouracil (PTU) dose down after 4 to 6 weeks
      2. Goal: maintain normal Thyroid function
      3. Dose: reduce to 50-100 mg/day in divided doses
  3. Thyroid Storm
    1. See Thyroid Storm for full protocol (Beta Blockers, Thionamides, Iodine, Glucocorticoids)
    2. Load 500 to 1000 mg PO, PR, or per NG
    3. Maintenance 200 to 250 mg (up to 400 mg) every 4 hours PO, PR, or per NG

VI. Dosing: Hyperthyroidism in Children

  1. Target dose to Free T4 high end of normal range
  2. Hyperthyroidism
    1. Start
      1. Age >10 years old: 50 to 100 mg orally three times daily
      2. Age 6 to 10 years: 50 mg orally three times daily
      3. Age <6 years (NOT FDA approved): 5 to 7 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours
    2. Maintenance
      1. Titrate Propylthiouracil (PTU) dose down after 4 to 6 weeks
      2. Goal: maintain normal Thyroid function
      3. Dose: reduce to 1/3 to 1/2 of initial dose

VII. Adverse effects (3 per 1000 patients)

  1. Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis (more common with PTU)
    1. Risk increases over age 40 years
    2. Occurs in 0.17% of those on Methimazole
    3. Presentation: Infection (e.g. Pharyngitis)
    4. Course
      1. Resolves within 2-3 weeks after drug stopped
      2. Severe, refractory course may occur
    5. Contraindication to further Antithyroid Drugs
  2. Jaundice
    1. Cholestatic Jaundice
    2. Occurs more commonly with Methimazole
  3. Hepatitis
    1. Occurs with both Methimazole and Propylthiouracil (PTU)
      1. However, PTU is higher risk of liver injury, making Methimazole preferred in most cases
    2. Methimazole associated hepatitis
      1. Incidence: 3.17 per 1000 person-years
      2. Acute Hepatic Failure: 0.32 per 1000 person-years
    3. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is associated with severe liver injury
      1. Adults: 1 in 10,000
      2. Children: 1 in 2,000
  4. Vasculitis
  5. Lupus-Like Syndrome
  6. Aplastic Anemia
  7. Rash or Pruritus
    1. Switch from PTU to Methimazole if severe
  8. Arthralgia or Polyarthritis
  9. Fever
  10. Congenital abnormalities possible with Methimazole

VIII. Safety

  1. Lactation
    1. PTU is considered safe in Lactation (however Methimazole is preferred over PTU)
  2. Pregnancy Category D (applies to both PTU and Methimazole)
    1. Propylthiouracil is preferred in first trimester (due to congenital defects with Methimazole)
    2. Use Methimazole instead of PTU in second and third trimester

IX. Monitoring

  1. Repeat examination every 3 months
  2. Pregnancy Test before starting therapy
  3. Lab Testing while on antithyroid medications: Monthly for 6 to 12 months
    1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
      1. Obtain at baseline
      2. Repeat if Pharyngitis or fever occur (need not be done without symptoms or signs)
    2. Liver Function Tests
      1. Obtain at baseline and if symptoms develop
    3. Thyroid Function Tests (baseline, then every 4-8 weeks, then after stabilizing, every 3 months)
      1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) after stabilizing, once on every 3 month schedule
      2. Free T4
      3. Free T3
  4. Lab Testing after completing antithyroid medications
    1. Obtain Thyroid Function Tests every 1-3 months for 6-12 months
  5. Indications to discontinue medication (via taper)
    1. Total treatment course of 12-18 months AND
    2. TSH normalized for 6-12 months
  6. Indications to consider Thyroid ablation
    1. Inadequate suppression at 12 months from initiation

X. Efficacy

  1. Predictors of Relapse on Thionamides (occurs in 30-70% of cases within first year)
    1. Tobacco Abuse
    2. Large Goiter
    3. Thyroid Stmulating Antibody high at end of treatment

XI. Resources

  1. Propylthiouracil (DailyMed)
    1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=b0c23a2c-b250-4c0d-9b2a-c1483faa2ca0

XII. References

  1. Kravets (2016) Am Fam Physician 93(5): 363-70 [PubMed]

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Cost: Medications

propylthiouracil (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
PROPYLTHIOURACIL 50 MG TABLET Generic $0.42 each
FPNotebook does not benefit financially from showing this medication data or their pharmacy links. This information is provided only to help medical providers and their patients see relative costs. Insurance plans negotiate lower medication prices with suppliers. Prices shown here are out of pocket, non-negotiated rates. See Needy Meds for financial assistance information. GoodRx is another tool for finding lower drug prices.

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