Antithyroid agents
Antithyroid Agents
Antithyroid agents (pronounced: an-ti-thy-roid ay-gents) are a group of medications used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland. The term "antithyroid" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against and "thyroid" referring to the thyroid gland.
Usage
Antithyroid agents work by reducing the production of thyroid hormones, which are essential for the regulation of the body's metabolism. These medications are often used in the treatment of Graves' disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Types of Antithyroid Agents
There are two main types of antithyroid agents: Thionamides and Iodine solutions.
Thionamides
Thionamides, such as Methimazole and Propylthiouracil, inhibit the thyroid gland's ability to use iodine to produce thyroid hormones. They are often the first line of treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Iodine Solutions
Iodine solutions, such as Potassium iodide, are used to rapidly decrease the production of thyroid hormones. They are often used in emergency situations or to prepare patients for thyroid surgery.
Side Effects
Like all medications, antithyroid agents can cause side effects. These may include skin rash, joint pain, liver damage, and a decrease in the number of white blood cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antithyroid agents
- Wikipedia's article - Antithyroid agents
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski