Antithyroid drugs
Antithyroid Drugs
Antithyroid drugs (pronunciation: an-ti-thy-roid drugs) are a class of medications used primarily in the treatment of hyperthyroidism - a condition characterized by excessive levels of thyroid hormones in the body.
Etymology
The term "antithyroid" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against, and "thyroid" referring to the thyroid gland. Thus, antithyroid drugs are those that act against the thyroid gland, specifically by inhibiting the production of thyroid hormones.
Types of Antithyroid Drugs
There are two main types of antithyroid drugs: Thionamides and Iodine-containing medications.
1. Thionamides - These include Methimazole and Propylthiouracil. They work by inhibiting the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, which is involved in the production of thyroid hormones.
2. Iodine-containing medications - These include Potassium iodide and Radioactive iodine. They work by reducing the size and vascularity of the thyroid gland, thereby decreasing the production of thyroid hormones.
Related Terms
- Hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid gland
- Thionamides
- Methimazole
- Propylthiouracil
- Iodine
- Potassium iodide
- Radioactive iodine
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antithyroid drugs
- Wikipedia's article - Antithyroid drugs
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