Tag: Ptu

Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) like propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole are highly effective for treating hyperthyroidism, but their use is associated with a rare yet potentially fatal complication known as agranulocytosis. Occurring in approximately 0.2% to 0.5% of patients, this severe white blood cell deficiency represents the most serious shared side effect of both PTU and methimazole.

With an elimination half-life of only approximately 1 to 2 hours, Propylthiouracil (PTU) is cleared from the bloodstream quite rapidly. However, this short period does not accurately reflect how long PTU stays in your system in terms of its therapeutic effect, which can last for up to 24 hours by inhibiting the production of thyroid hormones.