TREATMENT OF HYPERTHYROIDISM WITH PROPYLTHIOURACIL

Abstract

One hundred unselected cases of hyperthyroidism were treated with propylthiouracil. Considerable individual variation in the minimal effective dose was observed, some patients requiring as little as 50 and some others as much as 150 mg. daily to restore metabolic equilibrium. It was concluded that 50 mg. every 8 hrs. is approx. the optimal dose for the routine treatment of the more severe eases, that 50 mg. twice daily is adequate for milder ones, and that an effective dose should be continued until all manifestations of the disease have been controlled before smaller maintenance doses are substituted. The use of this medication was unattended by significant side effects, and it is therefore suggested that it is a safe and satisfactory compound for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.