Anthropometric Measurements as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Among Tanzanian Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
November 7, 2025
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Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
propylthiouracil
Class :
Antithyroid agents
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
propylthiouracil
Class :
Antithyroid agents
Dosage forms & StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
50mgÂ
Hyperthyroidism And ThyrotoxicosisÂ
300-450 mg orally divided every 8 hours, depending on the severity of the condition
(A dose of 600-900 mg/day maybe required)
Maintenance dose- 100-150 mg orally divided every 8 hours
Thyrotoxic Crisis
(Off-label)
Initially 200-300 mg orally every 4-6 hours on 1st day
Reduce the dose gradually
Maintenance dose- 100-150 mg/day divided 2-3 times daily
Initially 50-150 mg orally every 8 hours
Maintenance dose- 50 mg orally 2-3 times daily, for 12-18 months
Taper the dose until euthyroid is attained
Dosage forms & Strengths:Â
Tablet:Â
50 mgÂ
Hyperthyroidism And ThyrotoxicosisÂ
Indicated in children for hyperthyroidism only
For neonates, less than 28 days old: 5-10 mg/kg orally divided 3 times daily
For <6 years: 5-7 mg/kg orally divided 3 times daily
For 6-10 years: 50-150 mg orally divided 3 times daily
For >10 years: 150-300 mg orally divided daily
Maintenance dose: Usually one to two third of the intial dose 2-3 times daily based on the response
Refer to the adult dosingÂ
They may diminish the serum concentration when combined with bile acid sequestrants
they both increase the effect of each other when used simultaneously
they both increase the effect of each other when used simultaneouslyÂ
they both increase the effect of each other when used simultaneously
they both increase the effect of each other when used simultaneously
they both increase the toxicity of each other when used simultaneously
they both increase the toxicity of each other when used simultaneously
thyroid products decrease the concentration of cardiac glycosides in serum
thyroid products decrease the concentration of cardiac glycosides in serum
thyroid products decrease the concentration of cardiac glycosides in serum
they both increase the effect of each other when used simultaneously
they decrease the efficacy of sodium iodide I-131
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect
l-methylfolate-pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-methylcobalamine
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may increase the anticoagulant effect
may increase the anticoagulant effect
may increase the anticoagulant effect
may increase the anticoagulant effect
may increase the anticoagulant effect
It may enhance the serum concentration when combined with CYP3A4 Substrates
acetaminophen IV/ibuprofen IV (Pending FDA Approval)
It may enhance the serum concentration when combined with CYP3A4 Substrates
It may enhance the serum concentration when combined with CYP3A4 Substrates
It may enhance the serum concentration when combined with CYP3A4 Substrates
It may enhance the serum concentration when combined with CYP3A4 Substrates
may increase the arrhythmogenic affect
may diminish the serum concentration when combined with thyroid products
may decrease the serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
estrogens esterified/methyltestosterone            Â
may decrease the therapeutic effect of estrogen derivatives
antacids: they may enhance the serum concentration of thyroid products
antacids: they may enhance the serum concentration of thyroid products
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
they decrease the effect of thyroid products
they decrease the effect of thyroid products
bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens
they decrease the effect of thyroid products
they decrease the effect of thyroid products
they decrease the effect of thyroid products
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
it decreases the concentration of thyroid products in serum
thyroid products increase the effect of anticoagulation of vitamin K antagonists
thyroid products increase the effect of anticoagulation of vitamin K antagonists
thyroid products increase the effect of anticoagulation of vitamin K antagonists
thyroid products increase the effect of anticoagulation of vitamin K antagonists
thyroid products increase the effect of anticoagulation of vitamin K antagonists
may increase the absorption of Antacids
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxideÂ
may enhance the serum concentration of antacids
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonateÂ
may enhance serum concentration of antacids
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of Cardiac Glycosides
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of Cardiac Glycosides
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of Cardiac Glycosides
may reduce the therapeutic effect of thyroid products
may reduce the therapeutic effect of thyroid products
cyproterone and ethinyl estradiolÂ
may decrease the therapeutic effect of Estrogen Derivatives
amiodarone: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of thyroid products
tricyclic antidepressants may become more arrhythmogenic when used with thyroid products
tricyclic antidepressants may have a more stimulatory impact when used with thyroid products
they increase the effect of each other by pharmacodynamic synergism
they increase the effect of each other by pharmacodynamic synergism
they increase the effect of each other by pharmacodynamic synergism
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
Actions and Spectrum:Â
Actions:Â
Spectrum:Â
Frequency not definedÂ
AgranulocytosisÂ
Aplastic anemiaÂ
HepatitisÂ
PolyarthritisÂ
DrowsinessÂ
VertigoÂ
AlopeciaÂ
Erythema nodosumÂ
Skin ulcersÂ
GoiterÂ
Weight gainÂ
ConstipationÂ
Loss of tasteÂ
GranulopeniaÂ
LeukopeniaÂ
ThrombocytopeniaÂ
Black Box Warning:Â
Severe liver injury and acute liver failure are rare but serious side effects of propylthiouracil, and patients taking this medication should be closely monitored for symptoms and signs of liver injury. The FDA recommends that healthcare providers measure liver function tests prior to initiating treatment with propylthiouracil and periodically thereafter, especially during the first six months of therapy.Â
propylthiouracil should be reserved for those patients who cannot tolerate other treatments, such as methimazole, radioactive iodine, or surgery, due to the potential risk of liver injury. In pregnant women with hyperthyroidism, propylthiouracil may be the treatment of choice during the first trimester of pregnancy due to the strong association of methimazole with congenital malformations during this period. However, in later stages of pregnancy, methimazole is generally preferred due to a lower risk of liver injury in the mother.Â
Contraindication/Caution:Â
Contraindications:Â
Precautions:Â
Pregnancy consideration:Â Â
Category DÂ
Breastfeeding warnings:Â Â
Propylthiouracil is distributed in breastmilk and hence contraindicated during breastfeeding Â
Pregnancy category:Â
Pharmacology:Â
propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antithyroid medication used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, which is the overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to excessive thyroid hormone production. Here are some key points about the pharmacology of PTU:Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
The pharmacodynamics of PTU involve inhibition of both thyroid hormone synthesis and peripheral conversion, leading to a reduction in circulating levels of T4 and T3 and improvement in symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The slow onset and prolonged duration of action of the drug must be considered when managing patients with hyperthyroidism.Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
AbsorptionÂ
The 75% of drug is absorbedÂ
Duration of action is 12-24 hoursÂ
The half-life of elimination is 1-2 hoursÂ
DistributionÂ
The volume of distribution is 0.4 L/kgÂ
The bound protein is 80-85%Â
Peak plasma concentration is achieved in 1-2 hoursÂ
The peak plasma concentration is 6-9 mcg/mLÂ
MetabolismÂ
The drug is metabolised in the liver, to glucuronide conjugates, sulfur metabolites, inorganic sulfatesÂ
Elimination and ExcretionÂ
The rate of total body clearance is 7 L/hrÂ
The drug is excreted 35% in urine
Administration:Â
propylthiouracil (PTU) is an anti-thyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. PTU works by inhibiting the production of thyroid hormone by blocking the activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase.Â
PTU is usually taken orally in tablet form, and the dose and duration of treatment will depend on the individual patient’s condition and response to the medication. It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed by the healthcare provider and not to stop taking it abruptly without medical advice, as this can cause a rebound increase in thyroid hormone levels.Â
PTU can have several potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, rash, and joint pain. Rare but serious side effects can also occur, such as liver toxicity and a decrease in white blood cell count. Patients should be monitored closely for any signs of these side effects and advised to seek medical attention immediately if they occur.Â
In addition, PTU should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks, as it can cross the placenta and potentially harm the developing fetus. It is also important to inform the healthcare provider of any other medications or supplements being taken, as they may interact with PTU and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: propylthiouracilÂ
Pronounced: PRO-pil-THYE-oh-URE-a-silÂ
Why do we use propylthiouracil?Â
propylthiouracil (PTU) is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by various conditions, including Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and toxic adenoma.Â
PTU works by inhibiting the production of thyroid hormone by blocking the activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. This enzyme is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, and by inhibiting its activity, PTU reduces the amount of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland.Â
PTU is often used as a first-line treatment for hyperthyroidism, particularly in patients who cannot tolerate or have contraindications to other anti-thyroid medications like methimazole. PTU may also be used in combination with other medications or radioactive iodine therapy to achieve better control of hyperthyroidism.Â
In addition to treating hyperthyroidism, PTU may also be used to prepare patients for thyroid surgery by reducing the size and activity of the thyroid gland before the procedure.Â
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