OncologyAnti-Thyroid Drug Linked To Serious Liver Injury Warns FDA
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning health care professionals about the risk of serious liver injury linked to the anti-thyroid drug propylthiouracil that is used to treat Graves" disease, an autoimmune disorder that results in overactivity of the thyroid gland.
The FDA posted a warning on its website on 3 June that says the agency has received reports of 32 cases of serious liver injury associated with the use
of propylthiouracil, a drug that was approved for marketing in 1947.
22 of the cases were in adults, and these included 12 deaths and 5 liver transplants, said the FDA.
10 cases were in children, including one death and six liver transplants.
The reports came through the FDA"s Adverse Event Reporting System which was established in 1969 and cover the period from then until 2008. The
warning came after the FDA analyzed adverse event reports in the system.
Dr Amy Egan, deputy director for safety, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products, in the FDA"s Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research explained:
"After analyzing adverse event reports, the FDA has identified an increased risk of liver injury with propylthiouracil when compared to an alternative
treatment for Graves" disease, methimazole."
Graves" disease causes the thyroid, a gland that sits just under the Adam"s apple at the front of the neck, to become overactive. The thyroid releases
hormones that help to control metabolism, body temperature, energy use, weight, mood, and the amount of calcium in the blood.
"Health care professionals should carefully consider which drug to initiate in a patient recently diagnosed with Graves" disease," said Egan, adding
that:
"If propylthiouracil therapy is chosen, the patient should be closely monitored for symptoms and signs of liver injury, especially during the first six
months after initiating therapy."
Nowadays propylthiouracil is not considered a first choice drug, unless the patient cannot tolerate or is allergic to the first line drug
methimazole.
Also the FDA warning notes that:
"Because a rare birth defect has been reported with methimazole and not with propylthiouracil, propylthiouracil may be more appropriate for patients
with Graves" disease who are in the first trimester of pregnancy."
-- More information for healthcare professionals (FDA).
FDA.
Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today
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