Carbimazole
About Carbimazole
Carbimazole belongs to a class of drugs called anti-thyroid agents used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroxine hormone. It increases metabolism and causes unintentional weight loss.
Carbimazole contains Carbimazole, which works by decreasing the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Thus, it balances the levels of thyroid hormones.
Take Carbimazole as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Carbimazole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headache, dizziness, nausea, skin rash, itching, joint pain, changes in taste or hair thinning. Most of these side effects of Carbimazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Carbimazole or any other anti-thyroid medicines, please tell your doctor. Carbimazole is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. If you are breastfeeding, avoid taking Carbimazole as it may be excreted in breast milk in small amounts and harm the unborn baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before taking Carbimazole. You are recommended to use effective contraceptive measures while taking Carbimazole to avoid pregnancy. Drive only if you are alert, as Carbimazole may cause dizziness.
Uses of Carbimazole
Medicinal Benefits
Carbimazole contains Carbimazole, an anti-thyroid agent used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It decreases the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Thus, it balances the levels of thyroid hormones.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Carbimazole
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Joint pain
- Changes in taste
- Hair thinning
Drug Warnings
If you are known to be allergic to Carbimazole or any other anti-thyroid medicines, please tell your doctor. Carbimazole is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. If you are breastfeeding, avoid taking Carbimazole as it may be excreted in breast milk in small amounts and harm the unborn baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before taking Carbimazole. You are recommended to use effective contraceptive measures while taking Carbimazole to avoid pregnancy. If you require radio-iodine treatment, you may be advised to stop taking Carbimazole temporarily. Drive only if you are alert as Carbimazole may cause dizziness. If you notice light-coloured stools, yellowing of eyes or skin, tiredness, stomach pain, dark urine or loss of appetite, please consult a doctor immediately, as these might be signs of liver problems.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Carbimazole may interact with blood thinners (warfarin), anti-asthma drugs (theophylline), steroids (prednisolone), antibiotics (erythromycin), heart-related drugs (digoxin), and medicines used to treat high blood pressure (metoprolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have bone marrow depression, intrathoracic goitre (swelling in the neck), a serious blood disorder, severe liver disease or had acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) after taking Carbimazole or thiamazole in the past, inform your doctor before taking Carbimazole.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Carbimazole with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Carbimazole.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Carbimazole is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Carbimazole as it may be excreted in human milk in small amounts. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionCarbimazole may cause dizziness in some people. So, drive only if you are alert after taking Carbimazole.
Liver
cautionCarbimazole should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Carbimazole if you have a severe liver disorder.
Kidney
cautionCarbimazole should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionCarbimazole is not recommended for children below 2 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid caffeine-containing drinks and foods such as regular coffee, black tea, regular soda, energy drinks, and black tea as they may worsen the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
- Maintain a low iodine diet which includes egg whites, non-iodized salt, black coffee, tea, vegetable oils, honey, nut butter, unsalted nuts, sugar, jelly, jam, lemonade, fruits, moderate portions of chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey.
- Eat vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard greens, radish, kale, and turnip roots.
- Eat foods rich in selenium like shrimp, beef, chicken, turkey, rice, eggs, cottage cheese, spinach, baked beans, and oatmeal as it helps to achieve normal thyroid levels more quickly.
- Avoid iodine-rich foods such as iodized salt, dairy products, iodine supplements, egg yolks, shellfish, and fish. Also, avoid soy sauce, soy milk, tofu, and soybean oil.
Special Advise
- Blood tests are recommended while taking Carbimazole to monitor your response to the treatment.
- Before restarting your treatment, your doctor may advise you on certain tests to check for bone marrow depression.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperthyroidism: It is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroxine hormone. It increases the body’s metabolism and causes unintentional weight loss. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Grave’s disease (autoimmune disease), which occurs mostly in women. Other causes include excess iodine, inflammation of the thyroid gland, tumours of tests or ovaries, benign tumours of the pituitary gland or thyroid, or if large amounts of tetraiodothyronine are taken through dietary supplements. The symptoms include unexpected weight loss, irregular or rapid heartbeat, irritability, and sweating. Hyperthyroidism can be treated by medication, radioactive iodine, and sometimes surgery.
FAQs
Carbimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
Carbimazole contains Carbimazole, an anti-thyroid agent that works by decreasing the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Thus, it balances the levels of thyroid hormones.
Carbimazole may be used before thyroid surgery to make the thyroid gland function properly before the surgery.
You are not recommended to take Carbimazole with warfarin (blood thinner) as it may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, please consult a doctor before taking Carbimazole with other medicines.
Carbimazole is not recommended for patients suffering from bone marrow depression (low red blood cell count) as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have bone marrow depression, and tests are advised to check for bone marrow depression before restarting treatment.
If you have any liver problems, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Carbimazole. Carbimazole may increase the risk of liver damage if there is any existing liver problem.
No, weight gain is not a side effect of Carbimazole. However, if you experience weight gain while taking Carbimazole, please consult a doctor.
Yes, nausea is one among the side effects of Carbimazole. It does not require any treatment and will subside by time. However, if the condition persists or worsens, consult the doctor.
No, you cannot stop taking Carbimazole even if you feel better. Complete the full course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. The symptoms may occur again before it is completely cured.
You might begin to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks of using Carbimazole. However, it may take 4 to 8 weeks to get full benefits.
Yes, Carbimazole may cause hair loss but not everyone taking Carbimazole will experience it. If you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss with your doctor so that an alternate medication may be prescribed.
It is not recommended if you are allergic to Carbimazole and other anti-thyroid drugs. If you have serious blood disorder or liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Carbimazole.
In rare cases, Carbimazole may cause a decrease in the white blood cells, which help fight infections like soar-throat. It could be an early sign of this effect. So, your sister should consult a doctor and get a blood test done. If the white blood cells count is normal, she can continue the medication. If not, she should discontinue Carbimazole after doctor’s consultation.
No, Carbimazole is not recommended for children below 2 years of age as the safety is not established. The side effects of Carbimazole in children are similar to that of adults. So, it should be given as prescribed the doctor based on the medical conditions and their body weight.
Carbimazole is not advised if you are planning pregnancy as it may affect the unborn baby. However, Carbimazole is only advised by the doctor if the benefits overweighs risks. Do not self-medicate.
