[Rbc]

#1060064

Has anyone broken out in a rash with tapazole? After one month on it my numbers got worse also.

[Kimberly]

#1180056

Hello – Some patients do have skin reactions to anti-thyroid drugs…but in other cases, the hives/itching are actually caused by the hyperthyroidism itself. I would report this issue to your doctor ASAP so he/she can help you sort out what is going on.

Hope you can get some relief soon!

[Rbc]

#1180057

The doctor wants me to stop the tapazole and thinks it is an allergy. However, she has not seen the rash. She wants me to have RA next week. If it could possibly be the hyperthyroidism and not the drug I’d rather remain on the drug as the other treatment options sound more invasive or have more serious side effects.

I think I need a second opinion.

Thanks for the info Kimberly.

[snelsen]

#1180058

RBC, I agree. 2nd opinion, or at least slow down, see your present endo. That is a big decision to make on the phone after one month. And you can suggest switching to MMI (methimazole) the other ATD (anti thyroid drug.) Maybe discuss stopping the drug for 3-4 days, see if rash resolves.
It seems very impulsive to want to schedule for an RAI next week. YOu do have time to consider options. Sounds like you prefer to go with ATD’s if you possibly can. Say so.
Which numbers got worse? Thyroid labs or liver labs? Did you endo order some liver function studies?
Shirley

[misslex]

#1180059

Hi Rbc,

While on 5 mg/day of methimazole I began itching like crazy and my eyelid swelled up. I went off of the methimazole and tried PTU which gave me mouth sores. I was taken off of the PTU and decided to try the methimazole in combination with a daily antihistamine, which knock on wood, has worked so far. I am taking 5mg methimazole in conjunction with a Clarinex every other day and so far I have not experienced the itching or the swelling like before. I would see if your doctor is willing to try PTU first, or methimazole in conjunction with antihistamines before immediately jumping to RAI.

[Steph82]

#1180060

Are Tapazole and Methimazole the same thing? With MMI I broke out in hives all over my body and my hands, feet, and joints swelled up. It was painful and kind of scary! I have been on PTU ever since (about 3 months) and am doing well with it.

[snelsen]

#1180061

Nope. Both ATD’s but chemically a bit different. I am guessing possibly some ingredient in one, is not in the other, and the rash is related.
But did not bother to look it up chemically before I wrote this.
Shirley

[snelsen]

#1180062

Good question to ask a pharmacist. How do they differ?

[Kimberly]

#1180063

@Steph82 – Methimazole is a generic version of Tapazole. If you have a reaction on one of these drugs, a doc will *not* switch you from brand to generic or vice versa.

On the other hand, Tapazole and PTU have slightly different chemical structures. There is some cross-reactivity with these two drugs, but if you react to one, there is a *chance* you will not react to the other. So for milder reactions, docs are usually willing to try a switch from Tapazole to PTU or vice versa.

[snelsen]

#1180064

Kimberly is correct, of course. I was thinking of PTU. Typing too fast, thinking too slowly! Sorry.
Shirley

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