Comparison of single daily dose of methimazole and propylthiouracil in the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism

Chih Tsueng He, An Tsz Hsieh, Dee Pei, Yi Jen Hung, Ling Yi Wu, Tsao Chin Yang, Wei Cheng Lian, Wen Sheng Huang, Shi Wen Kuo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study was to compare the efficacy of a single daily dose of methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) in the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism. BACKGROUND: Antithyroid drugs, MMI and PTU, are widely used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Previous studies in the treatment of hyperthyroidism with a single daily dose of antithyroid drugs have demonstrated a more favourable result with MMI. However, the efficacy of a single daily dose of PTU was inconsistent. In this study, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of single daily doses of MMI and PTU on the change of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) levels. METHODS: Thirty patients with newly diagnosed Graves' hyperthyroidism were randomly divided into two groups, each receiving a single dose of either 15 mg MMI or 150 mg PTU daily for 12 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy was determined by serum total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and TRAb levels at baseline and at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks during the study period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline thyroid function parameters. Serum TT3, TT4 and FT4 levels in the MMI-treated group were significantly lower than those of the PTU-treated group after 4 weeks and through the end of the study. MMI also has superior effect on reducing serum TRAb levels than PTU after 8 weeks and at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: During the 12-week treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism, a single daily dose of 15 mg MMI was much more effective in the induction of euthyroidism than a single daily dose of 150 mg PTU. In the doses used in this study, MMI is preferable to PTU when a once-daily regimen of antithyroid drug is considered for the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)676-681
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Endocrinology
Volume60
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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