METHYLTHIOURACIL IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTHYROIDISM*

E. PERRY McCULLAGH, M.D.  WILLIAM T. SIRRIDGE, M.D.

J Clin Endocrinol (1948) 8 (12): 1051-1059.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-8-12-1051

Published:01 December 1948

Abstract

METHYLTHIOURACIL has proved to be highly effective in the control of hyperthyroidism. First reported at a meeting of the Danish Society of Internal Medicine on May 21, 1944 (1), many accounts of its use have been published since in Denmark, Sweden, England and Australia. The largest series of cases studied were those of Meulengracht, et al.(2,3), Magnusson and Soerensen(1), and Frisk(4). One article on the Danish work has appeared in the American literature (5).

Danish reports indicated that the drug retained its high efficacy when the doses were decreased from the huge amounts originally prescribed to quantities approximating those effective for propylthiouracil. This evidence suggested that a dose of methylthiouracil might be established which would be as small as that of propylthiouracil and, at the same time, more effective.

In December, 1946, after having used propylthiouracil in the treatment of more than 300 patients with hyperthyroidism we wished to compare this experience with that obtained in the use of methylthiouracil. In the majority of patients propylthiouracil had been effective in doses of 200 to 300 mg. per day. For comparison, similar doses of methylthiouracil were given. Up to April 15, 1948, 100 patients with hyperthyroidism have been treated with methylthiouracil.

Topic:hyperthyroidism   propylthiouracil   australia   denmark   Internal medicine   methylthiouracil

Issue Section: Articles