Tapazole

Tapazole stops the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone.

Tapazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). It is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment.

Tapazole may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than what is recommended.

Tapazole is usually taken every 8 hours. Take your doses at regular times to maintain a steady level of the medication in your body.

If a child is using this medicine, inform your doctor if the child experiences any changes in weight. Tapazole doses for children are based on their weight, and any changes may affect the child's dose.

Tapazole can reduce blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. This can increase your risk of bleeding from an injury or becoming ill from being around others who are sick. Your blood may need to be tested frequently.

Use Tapazole regularly to achieve the best results, even if you feel fine or do not have any symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Make sure to refill your prescription before you run out of medicine completely.

If you need surgery, inform the surgeon in advance that you are taking Tapazole.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

You should not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

You should not use Tapazole if you are allergic to it, or:

• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

To make sure Tapazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• a blood cell disorder; or
• a weak immune system.

Using Tapazole during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using Tapazole.

Methimazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may happen during treatment with Tapazole. Stop using Tapazole and call your doctor immediately if you have signs of infection such as:

• sudden weakness or feeling unwell, fever, chills, sore throat, cold or flu symptoms;
• painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, red or swollen gums; or
• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding.

Tapazole may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• swollen glands in your neck or jaw; or
• liver problems—nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Tapazole may include:

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
• headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
• numbness or tingling;
• rash, itching, skin discoloration;
• muscle or joint pain;
• hair loss; or
• decreased sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache, joint pain, fever, itching, swelling, or pale skin and easy bruising or bleeding.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis, theophylline;
• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• a beta blocker--atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with methimazole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.