Propylthiouracil

What is Propylthiouracil and how is it used?

Propylthiouracil tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat people who have Graves’ disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter. Propylthiouracil tablets are used when:

• certain other antithyroid medicines do not work well.
• thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not a treatment option.
• to decrease symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for a thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) or radioactive iodine therapy.

Propylthiouracil tablets are not recommended for use in children.

What are the possible side effects of propylthiouracil tablets?

Propylthiouracil tablets may cause serious side effects, including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about propylthiouracil tablets?”
• Low white blood cell counts.
  • This usually happens within the first 3 months of treatment and can be life-threatening. You may have a higher chance of getting an infection when your white blood cell count is low.
  • Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of infection or illness such as fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the small blood vessels of the body (vasculitis). Some people have developed vasculitis, a serious complication, during their treatment with Propylthiouracil that can lead to death. Vasculitis can involve the small blood vessels of the skin, kidneys, or lungs. Symptoms may vary depending on which blood vessels are affected. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop changes in your:
• skin, such as red or purple changes in color, a rash, pain, or swelling,
• urine, such as pink or dark in color, looks foamy, decrease in the amount produced, or
• breathing, such as shortness of breath or coughing up blood.
• Increased risk of bleeding. You may have increased bleeding especially if you have surgery or if you are taking blood thinners.
• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid problems). Your doctor should do blood tests regularly during treatment to check your thyroid.
• Severe skin reactions (Stevens Johnson syndrome). Propylthiouracil tablets may cause rare, but serious skin reactions that may require stopping its use. This may need to be treated in a hospital and may be lifethreatening. Call your doctor right away or get emergency help if you have skin blisters, peeling rash, sores in the mouth, hives or any other allergic reactions.

The most common side effects of propylthiouracil tablets include:

• nausea
• muscle pain
• vomiting
• headache
• upper stomach pain or tenderness
• sleepiness
• joint pain
• nerve pain
• itching or tingling
• swelling (edema)
• loss or change in taste
• dizziness
• loss of hair
• enlarged salivary glands or enlarged lymph nodes

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of propylthiouracil tablets. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

DESCRIPTION

Propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil tablet) tablet) tablet) (6-propyl-2-thiouracil) is one of the thiocarbamide compounds. It is a white, crystalline substance that has a bitter taste and is very slightly soluble in water.

Propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil tablet) tablet) tablet) is an antithyroid drug administered orally. The structural formula is:

Molecular Weight : 170.23          C₇H₁₀N₂OS

Each tablet contains propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil (propylthiouracil tablet) tablet) tablet) 50 mg and the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, and sodium starch glycolate.

INDICATIONS

Propylthiouracil tablets, USP are indicated:

• in patients with Graves’ disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter who are intolerant of methimazole and for whom surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not an appropriate treatment option
• to ameliorate symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy in patients who are intolerant of methimazole

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Propylthiouracil is administered orally. The total daily dosage is usually given in 3 equal doses at approximately 8-hour intervals.

Adults

The initial dose is 300 mg daily. In patients with severe hyperthyroidism, very large goiters, or both, the initial dose may be increased to 400 mg daily; an occasional patient will require 600 to 900 mg daily initially. The usual maintenance dose is 100 to 150 mg daily.

Pediatric Patients

Propylthiouracil is generally not recommended for use in the pediatric patient population except in rare instances in which other alternative therapies are not appropriate options. Studies evaluating appropriate dosing regimen have not been conducted in the pediatric population although general practice would suggest initiation of therapy in patients 6 years or older at a dosage of 50 mg daily with careful upward titration based on clinical response and evaluation of TSH and free T4 levels. Although cases of severe liver injury have been reported with doses as low as 50 mg/day, most cases were associated with doses of 300 mg/day and higher.

Geriatric Patients

Clinical studies of propylthiouracil did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 or over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

HOW SUPPLIED

Propylthiouracil tablets, USP are available as follows:

50 mg - Each white, round, tablet imprinted with logo on one side and 348 and partial bisect on the other side contains 50 mg of propylthiouracil, USP. Tablets are supplied in bottles of 100 (NDC 0228-2348-10).

Dispense in a well-closed container as defined in the USP.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

REFERENCE

International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. 1974; 7; 67-76.

Manufactured by: Actavis Elizabeth LLC, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 USA. Distributed by: Actavis Pharma, Inc., Parsippany, NJ 07054 USA. Revised: Dec 2018

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of propylthiouracil. Because these events generally come from voluntary reporting from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Severe adverse reactions include liver injury presenting as hepatitis, liver failure necessitating liver transplantation or resulting in death (see WARNINGS). Inhibition of myelopoiesis (agranulocytosis, granulopenia, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia), drug fever, a lupus-like syndrome (including splenomegaly and vasculitis), periarteritis, hypoprothrombinemia, and bleeding have been reported. Nephritis, glomerulonephritis, interstitial pneumonitis, exfoliative dermatitis, and erythema nodosum have also been reported.

There are reports of a vasculitis associated with the presence of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), resulting in severe complications and death (see WARNINGS).

There have been rare reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) in patients treated with propylthiouracil. Other adverse reactions include skin rash, uticaria, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, arthralgia, paresthesias, loss of taste, taste perversion, abnormal loss of hair, myalgia, headache, pruritus, drowsiness, neuritis, edema, vertigo, skin pigmentation, jaundice, sialadenopathy, and lymphadenopathy.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE EVENTS, contact Actavis at 1-800-432-8534 or FDA at 1-800-FDA- 1088 or http://www.fda.gov/ for voluntary reporting of adverse reactions.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Anticoagulants (oral)

Due to the potential inhibition of vitamin K activity by propylthiouracil, the activity of oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) may be increased; additional monitoring of PT/INR should be considered, especially before surgical procedures.

Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents

Hyperthyroidism may cause an increased clearance of beta blockers with a high extraction ratio. A reduced dose of beta-adrenergic blockers may be needed when a hyperthyroid patient becomes euthyroid.

Digitalis Glycosides

Serum digitalis levels may be increased when hyperthyroid patients on a stable digitalis glycoside regimen become euthyroid; a reduced dose of digitalis glycosides may be needed.

Theophylline

Theophylline clearance may decrease when hyperthyroid patients on a stable theophylline regimen become euthyroid; a reduced dose of theophylline may be needed.

WARNINGS

Liver Toxicity

Liver injury resulting in liver failure, liver transplantation, or death, has been reported with propylthiouracil therapy in adult and pediatric patients. No cases of liver failure have been reported with the use of methimazole in pediatric patients. For this reason, propylthiouracil is not recommended for pediatric patients except when methimazole is not well-tolerated and surgery or radioactive iodine therapy are not appropriate therapies.

Biochemical monitoring of liver function (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) and hepatocellular integrity (ALT, AST) is not expected to attenuate the risk of severe liver injury due to its rapid and unpredictable onset. Patients should be informed of the risk of liver failure. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (anorexia, pruritus, right upper quadrant pain, etc.), particularly in the first six months of therapy. When these symptoms occur, propylthiouracil should be discontinued immediately and liver function tests and ALT and AST levels obtained.

Use In Pregnancy

There are cases of liver injury, including liver failure and death, in women treated with propylthiouracil during pregnancy. Two reports of in utero exposure with liver failure and death of a newborn have been reported. If propylthiouracil is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking propylthiouracil, the patient should be warned of the rare potential hazard to the mother and fetus of liver damage.

Propylthiouracil crosses the placenta and can cause fetal goiter and cretinism when administered to a pregnant woman (see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy).

After the first trimester of pregnancy, the use of an alternative antithyroid medication may be advisable (see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy).

Agranulocytosis

Agranulocytosis occurs in approximately 0.2% to 0.5% of patients and is a potentially life-threatening side effect of propylthiouracil therapy. Agranulocytosis typically occurs within the first 3 months of therapy. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any symptoms suggestive of agranulocytosis, such as fever or sore throat. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia (pancytopenia) may also occur. Propylthiouracil should be discontinued if agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia (pancytopenia) is suspected, and the patient's bone marrow indices should be obtained.

Vasculitis

Cases of vasculitis resulting in severe complications and death have been reported in patients receiving propylthiouracil therapy. The cases of vasculitis include: glomerulonephritis, leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis, alveolar/pulmonary hemorrhage, cerebral angiitis, and ischemic colitis. Most cases were associated with anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-positive vasculitis. In some cases, vasculitis resolved/improved with drug discontinuation; however, more severe cases required treatment with additional measures including corticosteroids, immunosuppressant therapy, and plasmapheresis. If vasculitis is suspected, discontinue therapy and initiate appropriate intervention.

Hypothyroidism

Propylthiouracil can cause hypothyroidism necessitating routine monitoring of TSH and free T4 levels with adjustments in dosing to maintain a euthyroid state. Because the drug readily crosses placental membranes, propylthiouracil can cause fetal goiter and cretinism when administered to a pregnant woman (see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy).

PRECAUTIONS

General

Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (anorexia, pruritus, jaundice, light colored stools, dark urine, right upper quadrant pain, etc.), particularly in the first six months of therapy. When these symptoms occur, measurement should be made of liver function (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) and hepatocellular integrity (ALT/AST levels).

Patients who receive propylthiouracil should be under close surveillance and should be counseled regarding the necessity of immediately reporting any evidence of illness, particularly sore throat, skin eruptions, fever, headache, or general malaise. In such cases, white blood cell and differential counts should be obtained to determine whether agranulocytosis has developed. Particular care should be exercised with patients who are receiving concomitant drugs known to be associated with agranulocytosis.

Information For Patients

Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking an antithyroid drug, they should contact their physician immediately about their therapy.

Patients should report immediately any evidence of illness, in particular sore throat, skin eruptions, fever, headache, or general malaise. They also should report symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction (anorexia, pruritus, right upper quadrant pain, etc.).

Inform patients that cases of vasculitis resulting in severe complications and death have occurred with propylthiouracil. Inform patients to promptly report symptoms that may be associated with vasculitis including new rash, hematuria or decreased urine output, dyspnea or hemoptysis (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Laboratory Tests

Because propylthiouracil may cause hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding, monitoring of prothrombin time should be considered during therapy with the drug, especially before surgical procedures.

Thyroid function tests should be monitored periodically during therapy. Once clinical evidence of hyperthyroidism has resolved, the finding of an elevated serum TSH indicates that a lower maintenance dose of propylthiouracil should be employed.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Laboratory animals treated with propylthiouracil for greater than 1 year have demonstrated thyroid hyperplasia and carcinoma formation. Such animal findings are seen with continuous suppression of thyroid function by sufficient doses of a variety of antithyroid agents, as well as in dietary iodine deficiency, subtotal thyroidectomy, and implantation of autonomous thyrotropic hormone-secreting pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenomas have also been described.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category D.

See WARNINGS.

In pregnant women with untreated or inadequately treated Graves' disease, there is an increased risk of adverse events of maternal heart failure, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, stillbirth and fetal or neonatal hyperthyroidism.

If propylthiouracil is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking propylthiouracil, the patient should be warned of the rare potential hazard to the mother and fetus of liver damage.

Because propylthiouracil crosses placental membranes and can induce goiter and cretinism in the developing fetus, it is important that a sufficient, but not excessive, dose be given during pregnancy. In many pregnant women, the thyroid dysfunction diminishes as the pregnancy proceeds; consequently a reduction of dosage may be possible. In some instances, antithyroid therapy can be discontinued several weeks or months prior to delivery.

Since methimazole may be associated with the rare development of fetal abnormalities propylthiouracil may be the preferred agent during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given the potential for maternal hepatotoxicity from propylthiouracil, it may be preferable to switch from propylthiouracil to methimazole for the second and third trimesters during pregnancy.

Use In Specific Populations

Nursing Mothers

Propylthiouracil is present in breast milk to a small extent and therefore likely results in clinically insignificant doses to the nursing infant. In one study, nine lactating women were administered 400 mg of propylthiouracil by mouth. The mean amount of propylthiouracil excreted during 4 hours after drug administration was 0.025% of the administered dose.

Pediatric Use

Postmarketing reports of severe liver injury including hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation or resulting in death have been reported in the pediatric population (see WARNINGS). No such reports have been observed with methimazole. As such, propylthiouracil is not recommended for use in the pediatric population except in rare instances in which methimazole is not well-tolerated and surgery or radioactive iodine therapy are not appropriate.

When used in children, parents and patients should be informed of the risk of liver failure. If patients taking propylthiouracil develop tiredness, nausea, anorexia, fever, pharyngitis, or malaise, propylthiouracil should be discontinued immediately by the patient, a physician should be contacted, and a white blood cell count, liver function tests, and transaminase levels obtained.

OVERDOSE

Signs And Symptoms

Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, headache, fever, arthralgia, pruritus, edema, and pancytopenia. Agranulocytosis is the most serious effect. Rarely, exfoliative dermatitis, hepatitis, neuropathies or CNS stimulation or depression may occur.

No information is available on the following: LD₅₀; concentration of propylthiouracil in biologic fluids associated with toxicity and/or death; the amount of drug in a single dose usually associated with symptoms of overdosage; or the amount of propylthiouracil in a single dose likely to be life-threatening.

Treatment

To obtain up-to-date information about the treatment of overdose, a good resource is the certified Regional Poison Control Center. In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses, interaction among drugs, and unusual drug kinetics in the patient.

In the event of an overdose, appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated as dictated by the patient’s medical status.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Propylthiouracil is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the other product components.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Propylthiouracil inhibits the synthesis of thyroid hormones and thus is effective in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. The drug does not inactivate existing thyroxine and triiodothyronine that are stored in the thyroid or circulating in the blood, nor does it interfere with the effectiveness of thyroid hormones given by mouth or by injection. Propylthiouracil inhibits the conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine in peripheral tissues and may therefore be an effective treatment for thyroid storm.

Propylthiouracil is readily absorbed and is extensively metabolized. Approximately 35% of the drug is excreted in the urine, in intact and conjugated forms, within 24 hours.

PATIENT INFORMATION

PROPYLTHIOURACIL
(proe“ pil thye” oh ure' a sil) tablets

Read this Medication Guide before you start taking propylthiouracil tablets and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about propylthiouracil tablets?

Propylthiouracil tablets can cause serious side effects, including:

• Severe liver problems. In some cases, liver problems can happen in people who take propylthiouracil tablets including: liver failure, the need for liver transplant, or death. Stop taking propylthiouracil tablets and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • fever
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • tiredness
  • itchiness
  • pain or tenderness in your right upper stomach area (abdomen)
  • dark (tea colored) urine
  • pale or light colored bowel movements (stools)
  • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
• Serious risks during pregnancy. Propylthiouracil may cause liver problems, liver failure and death in pregnant women and may harm your unborn baby. Propylthiouracil may also cause liver problems or death of infants born to women who take propylthiouracil during certain trimesters of pregnancy. Propylthiouracil may be used when an antithyroid drug is needed during or just before the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you get pregnant while taking propylthiouracil tablets, call your doctor right away about your therapy.

What are propylthiouracil tablets?

Propylthiouracil tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat people who have Graves’ disease with hyperthyroidism or toxic multinodular goiter. Propylthiouracil tablets are used when:

• certain other antithyroid medicines do not work well.
• thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is not a treatment option.
• to decrease symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for a thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) or radioactive iodine therapy.

Propylthiouracil tablets are not recommended for use in children.

Who should not take propylthiouracil tablets?

Do not take propylthiouracil tablets if you are allergic to propylthiouracil or any of its ingredients. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in propylthiouracil tablets.

What should I tell my doctor before taking propylthiouracil tablets?

Before you take propylthiouracil tablets, tell your doctor if you:

• plan to have surgery.
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Propylthiouracil may harm or cause death of your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Propylthiouracil can pass into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take propylthiouracil tablets.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Propylthiouracil tablets may affect the way other medicines work.

Especially, tell your doctor if you take:

• a blood thinner medicine warfarin sodium (Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
• medicine for heart problems
• medicine for high blood pressure
• Digoxin (Lanoxicaps®, Lanoxin®)
• Theophylline (Elixophyllin®, Theolair®, Theochron®, Theo-24®, Uniphyl )

Ask your doctor if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take propylthiouracil tablets?

• Take propylthiouracil tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to take them.
• Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
• Propylthiouracil tablets are usually taken 3 times a day (every 8 hours).
• If you take too many propylthiouracil tablets, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
  • If you take too many propylthiouracil tablets you may have the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain or tenderness, headache, fever, joint pain, and swelling of your body, arms, and legs.
• If you miss a dose of propylthiouracil tablets, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not double your dose.

What should I avoid while taking Propylthiouracil tablets?

Propylthiouracil can cause dizziness, drowsiness or sleepiness. If you have these symptoms do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how propylthiouracil affects you.

What are the possible side effects of propylthiouracil tablets?

Propylthiouracil tablets may cause serious side effects, including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about propylthiouracil tablets?”
• Low white blood cell counts.
  • This usually happens within the first 3 months of treatment and can be life-threatening. You may have a higher chance of getting an infection when your white blood cell count is low.
  • Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of infection or illness such as fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the small blood vessels of the body (vasculitis). Some people have developed vasculitis, a serious complication, during their treatment with Propylthiouracil that can lead to death. Vasculitis can involve the small blood vessels of the skin, kidneys, or lungs. Symptoms may vary depending on which blood vessels are affected. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop changes in your:
• skin, such as red or purple changes in color, a rash, pain, or swelling,
• urine, such as pink or dark in color, looks foamy, decrease in the amount produced, or
• breathing, such as shortness of breath or coughing up blood.
• Increased risk of bleeding. You may have increased bleeding especially if you have surgery or if you are taking blood thinners.
• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid problems). Your doctor should do blood tests regularly during treatment to check your thyroid.
• Severe skin reactions (Stevens Johnson syndrome). Propylthiouracil tablets may cause rare, but serious skin reactions that may require stopping its use. This may need to be treated in a hospital and may be lifethreatening. Call your doctor right away or get emergency help if you have skin blisters, peeling rash, sores in the mouth, hives or any other allergic reactions.

The most common side effects of propylthiouracil tablets include:

• nausea
• muscle pain
• vomiting
• headache
• upper stomach pain or tenderness
• sleepiness
• joint pain
• nerve pain
• itching or tingling
• swelling (edema)
• loss or change in taste
• dizziness
• loss of hair
• enlarged salivary glands or enlarged lymph nodes

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of propylthiouracil tablets. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store propylthiouracil tablets?

• Store propylthiouracil tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20° to 25°C).

Keep propylthiouracil tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of propylthiouracil tablets:

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide.

Do not use propylthiouracil tablets for a condition for which they were not prescribed.

Do not give propylthiouracil tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. They may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about propylthiouracil tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about propylthiouracil tablets that is written for health professionals.

For more information call Actavis at 1-800-432-8534.

What are the ingredients in propylthiouracil tablets?

Active ingredient: propylthiouracil

Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, povidone, pregelatinized corn starch, and magnesium stearate.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.