AGRANULOCYTOSIS AND TOXIC HEPATITIS FROM METHIMAZOLE

Abstract

That toxic reactions can occur from methimazole therapy, the newest of the antithyroid drugs, is attested to by the reports of several investigators.¹These reactions follow the same general pattern noted with the other antithyroids and include at least two instances of agranulocytosis.²We are here reporting a third such case in which toxic hepatitis developed as an added complication. <h3>REPORT OF A CASE</h3> A white woman, aged 62, who was to have a cataract removed from the left eye was referred to us in April, 1947, because of nervousness, excess sweating, and palpitation. She had had insomnia and a voracious appetite with weight loss during the previous six months. The thyroid showed bilateral nodular enlargement, there was lid-lag and manual tremor, and the basal metabolic rate was + 15%. Improvement followed after one month of therapy with 300 mg. propylthiouracil daily and was maintained for a second month