💊 Carbimazole Tablet 5 mg – As Licensed
📄 Description:
Carbimazole 5 mg is an antithyroid medication used to manage hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). It works by reducing the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.
🧾 Prescription / Use:
Indications:
- Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease or toxic multinodular goitre)
- Preparation for thyroid surgery
- Before radioactive iodine therapy
Usual Adult Dosage:
- Initial dose: 15–40 mg/day in divided doses
- Maintenance dose: 5–15 mg/day
- Adjusted based on thyroid function tests
Route: Oral
🔬 Nature:
- Type: Antithyroid agent (thionamide group)
- Form: Tablet
- Mechanism of Action: Inhibits thyroid peroxidase enzyme, blocking the synthesis of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
🌟 Advantages:
- Effectively controls overactive thyroid hormone levels
- Non-surgical treatment option for hyperthyroidism
- Used safely in pregnancy (preferred in 2nd and 3rd trimester over other drugs)
- Helps restore euthyroid (normal thyroid) state before surgery or radioiodine therapy
📦 Packaging:
- Tablets typically supplied in blister strips
- Standard packs of 10, 30, or 100 tablets
- Each tablet is clearly labeled with strength and batch number
🧊 Storage:
- Store below 25°C
- Protect from light and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
⚠️ Precautions:
Contraindications:
- Known hypersensitivity to carbimazole or related compounds
- History of agranulocytosis (serious low white blood cells)
- Severe liver dysfunction
Use with Caution:
- Pregnancy (especially in the first trimester; PTU may be preferred early on)
- Breastfeeding (only in low doses with monitoring)
- Hepatic impairment
Common Side Effects:
- Skin rash, itching
- Nausea, upset stomach
- Joint pain
- Headache
Serious Side Effects (Seek Immediate Help):
- Agranulocytosis (sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers)
- Liver injury (jaundice, fatigue)
- Vasculitis, pancytopenia (rare)
👩⚕️ Patient Advice:
- Take tablets at the same time each day
- Do not stop abruptly without doctor consultation
- Inform your doctor immediately if you develop:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers
- Routine blood tests (including thyroid and CBC) are essential
- Avoid self-medication or adjusting doses without medical advice
- May take 2–4 weeks to see full benefit