About Carbimazole 5 mg Tablet
Carbimazole 5 mg Tablet contains Carbimazole 5 mg. Carbimazole is an antithyroid medicine used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). It reduces the amount of thyroid hormone the gland makes. It is taken by mouth, and your doctor will adjust treatment based on regular blood tests.
Uses of Carbimazole 5 mg Tablet
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), including Graves' disease
- To prepare the thyroid before surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
Benefits
In overactive thyroid
It lowers thyroid hormone levels, which eases symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, weight loss, shaking, sweating and anxiety. Improvement usually takes a few weeks.
Side effects
A rare but serious side effect is a fall in white blood cells. Always report a sore throat or fever to your doctor straight away.
Common
- Rash or itching
- Nausea
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Mild stomach upset
Get medical help if you notice
- Sore throat, mouth ulcers, fever or any sign of infection (possible low white blood cells) — stop and see your doctor straight away for a blood test
- Unusual bruising or bleeding — contact your doctor straight away
- Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine or pale stools (possible liver problems) — stop and contact your doctor
- Severe stomach pain spreading to the back (possible pancreatitis) — seek medical help
- Allergic reaction: swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet with water. Go for blood tests as advised so the dose can be adjusted.
How it works
In the body it is changed into methimazole, which blocks an enzyme the thyroid needs to make thyroid hormones.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No direct interaction is known. As the medicine can rarely affect the liver, keep alcohol to a minimum.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
It can cross the placenta and may cause birth defects, especially in early pregnancy. Use reliable contraception and tell your doctor straight away if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor; the baby may need monitoring.
Driving Caution
It is not known to affect driving, but do not drive if you feel dizzy or unwell.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; the dose may need adjusting.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease. It must not be used in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Report a sore throat, fever or mouth ulcers to your doctor straight away.
- Go for regular thyroid blood tests.
- Use reliable contraception if you could become pregnant.
- Do not stop it without talking to your doctor.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Imidazole derivative (thionamide)
- Therapeutic class
- Hormone / thyroid
- Action class
- Antithyroid agent
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners such as warfarin | Their effect may change as thyroid levels change; extra blood tests may be needed |
| Theophylline | Its levels may change as thyroid levels change |
| Digoxin | Its levels may rise as thyroid levels return to normal |
| Prednisolone and erythromycin | Their effects may change as thyroid levels change |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Carbimazole prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: carbimazole; NICE BNF: carbimazole). Pharmacist review pending.