Why is this drug prescribed?

NeoMercazole tablets contain the active ingredient carbimazole, which is an antithyroid drug. It is used to decrease the amount of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland uses a chemical called iodine in the formation of thyroid hormones. Iodine must be converted in the body to a useable form before it can be combined with other components to form thyroid hormones. Carbimazole acts to prevent the conversion of iodine to its useable form. Carbimazole also acts to block the combination of converted iodine with other components to form thyroid hormones. This results in a decreased production of thyroid hormones. Carbimazole does not immediately decrease the blood levels of thyroid hormones, because the existing high levels of thyroid hormones already produced by the thyroid gland must be used up by the body. This means it may take three to four weeks after starting carbimazole treatment before the thyroid hormone levels begin to decrease. Some improvement is usually felt within one to three weeks. However, full beneficial effects usually take four to eight weeks. Carbimazole is used to reduce production of thyroid hormones when excessive amounts are being produced by an overactive thyroid gland. In some people this drug may be enough to treat the condition and return thyroid function to normal. You may need to take this drug for several months in order to maintain control of the thyroid gland. Carbimazole can also be used to lower the amount of thyroid hormones in the body in drug for surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland, or in drug for treatment with radioactive iodine.

Treatments

* Hyperthyroidism

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Headache * Joint pain * Skin rashes * Itching * Disturbances of the gut such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain * Hair loss * Decrease in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood * Yellowing of the skin and eyes. Tell your doctor if you experience this. * Muscle disorders. Tell your doctor if you experience any unexplained muscle pain after starting this drug.