A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
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294 THYROID<br />
<strong>and</strong> interferes with the generation <strong>of</strong> oxygen radicals by<br />
macrophages, thereby interfering with the presentation <strong>of</strong> antigen<br />
to lymphocytes. Methimazole does not affect hormone<br />
secretion directly. Thus hormone release decreases after a<br />
latent period, during which time the thyroid becomes depleted<br />
<strong>of</strong> hormone.<br />
Adverse effects<br />
Carbimazole is usually well tolerated, although pruritus <strong>and</strong><br />
rashes are fairly common. These usually respond to switching<br />
to propylthiouracil (see below). Neutropenia is a rare but<br />
potentially fatal adverse effect. Patients must be warned to<br />
report sore throat or other evidence <strong>of</strong> infection immediately,<br />
an urgent white cell count must be obtained <strong>and</strong> the drug<br />
should be stopped if there is neutropenia. Nausea, hair loss,<br />
drug fever, leukopenia <strong>and</strong> arthralgia are rare, but recognized<br />
adverse effects. Use <strong>of</strong> carbimazole during pregnancy has<br />
rarely been associated with aplasia cutis in the newborn.<br />
Pharmacokinetics<br />
Carbimazole is rapidly absorbed after oral administration<br />
<strong>and</strong> hydrolysed to methimazole, which is concentrated in the<br />
thyroid within minutes <strong>of</strong> administration. Methimazole has<br />
an apparent volume <strong>of</strong> distribution equivalent to body water<br />
<strong>and</strong> the t 1/2 varies according to thyroid status, being approximately<br />
seven, nine <strong>and</strong> 14 hours in hyperthyroid, euthyroid<br />
<strong>and</strong> hypothyroid patients, respectively. It is metabolized in the<br />
liver <strong>and</strong> thyroid.<br />
• in neonatal hyperthyroidism due to thyroid-stimulating<br />
immunoglobulin from the mother – this remits within<br />
about six weeks as maternal-derived immunoglobulin is<br />
cleared by the infant.<br />
Hyperthyroid patients treated with beta-blockers are not<br />
biochemically euthyroid, even if they appear clinically euthyroid,<br />
<strong>and</strong> thyroid crisis (‘storm’) can supervene if treatment is<br />
discontinued.<br />
RADIOACTIVE IODINE<br />
Radioactive iodine is an effective oral treatment for thyrotoxicosis<br />
caused by Graves’ disease or by toxic nodular goitre. It is<br />
safe, causes no discomfort to the patient <strong>and</strong> has largely<br />
replaced surgery, except when there are local mechanical problems,<br />
such as tracheal compression. It is contraindicated in<br />
pregnancy. Dosing has been the subject <strong>of</strong> controversy. It is<br />
now st<strong>and</strong>ard practice in many units to give an ablative dose<br />
followed by replacement therapy with thyroxine, so late-onset<br />
undiagnosed hypothyroidism is avoided. The isotope usually<br />
employed is 131 I with a t 1/2 <strong>of</strong> eight days. Thyroxine replacement<br />
is started after four to six weeks <strong>and</strong> continued for life.<br />
There is no increased incidence <strong>of</strong> leukemia, thyroid or other<br />
malignancy after therapeutic use <strong>of</strong> 131 I, but concern remains<br />
regarding its use in children or young women. However, the<br />
dose <strong>of</strong> radiation to the gonads is less than that in many radiological<br />
procedures <strong>and</strong> there is no evidence that therapeutic<br />
doses <strong>of</strong> radioactive iodine damage the germ cells or reduce<br />
PROPYLTHIOURACIL<br />
Use<br />
Propylthiouracil has similar actions, uses <strong>and</strong> toxic effects to<br />
carbimazole, but in addition inhibits the peripheral conversion<br />
<strong>of</strong> T 4 to active T 3 . As with carbimazole, dangerous<br />
leukopenia may develop, but is very rare. The scheme <strong>of</strong><br />
attaining a euthyroid state with a large initial dose which is<br />
then reduced is as for carbimazole. Propylthiouracil is rapidly<br />
absorbed from the intestine. The plasma t 1/2 is short, but<br />
the duration <strong>of</strong> action within the thyroid is prolonged <strong>and</strong>, as<br />
with carbimazole, propylthiouracil can be given once daily. It<br />
is used (by specialists) in pregnancy (see below) <strong>and</strong> has some<br />
advantages over carbimazole in this setting.<br />
β-ADRENOCEPTOR ANTAGONISTS<br />
Beta-blockers improve symptoms <strong>of</strong> hyperthyroidism, including<br />
anxiety, tachycardia <strong>and</strong> tremor. They inhibit the conversion<br />
<strong>of</strong> T 4 to T 3 in the tissues. They are useful:<br />
• while awaiting laboratory confirmation, if the diagnosis is<br />
in doubt;<br />
• during initiation <strong>of</strong> therapy with antithyroid drugs;<br />
• before treatment with radio-iodine, because they do not<br />
interfere with the uptake <strong>of</strong> iodine by the gl<strong>and</strong>;<br />
• in thyroid crisis;<br />
• with iodine, as a rapid preparation for surgery on a<br />
hyperactive thyroid goitre;<br />
Key points<br />
Antithyroid drugs<br />
• Carbimazole works via its active metabolite,<br />
methimazole. This is concentrated in cells that contain<br />
peroxidase, including neutrophils as well as thyroid<br />
epithelium. It is iodinated in the thyroid, diverting<br />
iodine from the synthesis <strong>of</strong> T 3 <strong>and</strong> T 4 <strong>and</strong> depleting<br />
the gl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> hormone. It does not inhibit secretion <strong>of</strong><br />
preformed thyroid hormones, so there is a latent period<br />
before its effect is evident after starting treatment.<br />
• Neutropenia is an uncommon but potentially fatal<br />
adverse effect. Patients who develop sore throat or<br />
other symptoms <strong>of</strong> infection need to report for an<br />
urgent white blood count. Pruritus <strong>and</strong> rash are more<br />
common but less severe.<br />
• Propylthiouracil is similar in its effects <strong>and</strong> adverse<br />
effects to carbimazole/methimazole, but in addition it<br />
inhibits peripheral conversion <strong>of</strong> T 4 to the more active<br />
T 3 , <strong>and</strong> is therefore preferred in thyroid storm.<br />
• β-Adrenoceptor antagonists suppress manifestations <strong>of</strong><br />
hyperthyroidism <strong>and</strong> are used when starting treatment<br />
with specific antithyroid drugs, <strong>and</strong> in treating thyroid<br />
storm (together with propylthiouracil <strong>and</strong> glucocorticoids,<br />
which also suppress the conversion <strong>of</strong> T 4 to T 3 ).<br />
• Radioactive iodine ( 131 I) is safe in non-pregnant adults<br />
<strong>and</strong> has largely replaced surgery in the treatment <strong>of</strong><br />
hyperthyroidism, except when there are local<br />
mechanical complications, such as tracheal obstruction.<br />
Replacement therapy with T 4 is required after<br />
functional ablation.