The propylthiouracil dilemma

Daniel Glinoer, David S. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review: To bring to the attention of healthcare professionals the additional information on propylthiouracil (PTU)-related hepatotoxicity, based on a reanalysis of medical files reported to the Food and Drug Administration (1982-2008) for acute liver failure in PTU-treated hyperthyroid patients, and propose recommendations for the clinical use of PTU. Thirteen files of PTU-related severe liver adverse effects were analyzed for the pediatric population, seventeen for nonpregnant adults and two for pregnant women. Recent findings: The recent findings showed that the daily PTU dose administered was high in the children, with a mean of 300mg/day for an average 10-year-old individual. With regard to treatment duration, PTU administration lasted for at least 4 months in 75% of pediatric cases. Similarly, in a majority of adult cases (64%), PTU-induced liver injury occurred after a relatively long treatment period (4 months to >1 year). Summary: PTU should not be used in children, in whom methimazole (MMI) represents the logical alternative. In adults, PTU should be restricted to those rare patients with Graves' disease for whom no better alternative can be offered and in patients with thyroid storm. For the special circumstance of pregnancy, PTU is the preferred choice during early gestation; switching back to MMI during later gestational stages remains a matter of clinical judgment. It is unknown whether liver function tests monitoring is worthwhile to prevent life-threatening, PTU-related hepatotoxicity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)402-407
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Graves' disease
  • antithyroid drugs
  • drug-induced liver injury
  • hepatotoxicity
  • hyperthyroidism
  • propylthiouracil

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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