Shifts in Propylthiouracil and Methimazole Prescribing Practices: Antithyroid Drug Use in the United States from 1991 to 2008
Open Access
- 1 May 2010
- journal article
- other
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Vol. 95 (5), 2227-2233
- https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-2752
Abstract
Context: The thionamide antithyroid drugs methimazole and propylthiouracil are the mainstay of pharmacologic therapy for Graves’ disease. However, little is known about the rate of use of these drugs and the prescribing practices of physicians treating hyperthyroidism. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the frequency of methimazole and propylthiouracil use from years 1991 to 2008. Methods: The data were acquired by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Division of Epidemiology through two databases: IMS National Sales Perspectives and the Surveillance Data, Inc. Vector One: National database. Results: There was a 9-fold increase in the annual number of methimazole prescriptions during the study period, from 158,000 to 1.36 million per year. There was a 19% increase in the annual number of propylthiouracil prescriptions, from 348,000 to 415,000 per year. Propylthiouracil, which held two thirds of the market from 1991 to 1995, was surpassed by methimazole in 1996. Patient demographic data indicated that although 72% of methimazole prescriptions were for females, males were more likely to be on methimazole (82%) than females (74%) (P < 0.001, two tailed χ2 test). The only demographic group in which methimazole use decreased was women of child-bearing age (5% decrease, P < 0.001, two tailed χ2). The incidence of hyperthyroidism in 2008 was estimated based on the number of new prescriptions of thionamides by age group and data from the 2008 U.S. census: 0.44 per 1000 for ages 0–11 yr, 0.26 per 1000 for ages 12–17 yr, 0.59 per 1000 for ages 18–44 yr, 0.78 per 1000 for ages 45–64 yr, and 1.01 per 1000 for ages 65+ yr. Conclusions: Methimazole has become the most frequently prescribed antithyroid drug. The remarkable increase in the total number of dispensed thionamide prescriptions over the last 18 yr may indicate a trend toward pharmacological treatment as primary treatment of Graves’ disease in the United States.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Role of Propylthiouracil in the Management of Graves' Disease in Adults: Report of a Meeting Jointly Sponsored by the American Thyroid Association and the Food and Drug AdministrationThyroid®, 2009
- Ending Propylthiouracil-Induced Liver Failure in ChildrenNew England Journal of Medicine, 2009
- The incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease: a systematic review of the literatureClinical Endocrinology, 2008
- Antithyroid DrugsNew England Journal of Medicine, 2005
- Adverse effects of prenatal methimazole exposureTeratology, 2001
- The Side Effects of Antithyroid DrugsThe Endocrinologist, 1999
- Single Daily Dose of Methimazole Compared to Every 8 Hours Propylthiouracil in the Treatment of HyperthyroidismSouthern Medical Journal, 1995
- Differences and Similarities in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Graves' Disease in Europe, Japan, and The United StatesThyroid®, 1991
- Induction of Circulating Activated Suppressor-like T Cells by Methimazole Therapy for Graves' DiseaseNew England Journal of Medicine, 1987
- Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine in Hyperthyroidism COMPARISON OF THE ACUTE CHANGES DURING THERAPY WITH ANTITHYROID AGENTSJCI Insight, 1974