What is a potential adverse reaction of methimazole or carbimazole?

What is a potential adverse reaction of methimazole or carbimazole?

• A. Agranulocytosis
• B. Hepatotoxicity
• C. Pancreatitis
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Thionamide antithyroid drugs like methimazole or carbimazole can cause agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in neutrophils that nearly doubles as a medical emergency because it dramatically increases infection risk. Clinically, patients may develop fever, sore throat, or signs of infection, sometimes without warning, so prompt recognition and a check of the white blood cell count are crucial. Stopping the drug and providing supportive care; in some cases, antibiotics are started if infection is suspected and neutropenia begins to recover after withdrawal. While hepatotoxicity can occur with these medications, agranulocytosis is the more classic and high-stakes adverse effect tested in practice. Pancreatitis and hypertension are not typical adverse reactions for these drugs.

Thionamide antithyroid drugs like methimazole or carbimazole can cause agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in neutrophils that nearly doubles as a medical emergency because it dramatically increases infection risk. Clinically, patients may develop fever, sore throat, or signs of infection, sometimes without warning, so prompt recognition and a check of the white blood cell count are crucial. Stopping the drug and providing supportive care; in some cases, antibiotics are started if infection is suspected and neutropenia begins to recover after withdrawal. While hepatotoxicity can occur with these medications, agranulocytosis is the more classic and high-stakes adverse effect tested in practice. Pancreatitis and hypertension are not typical adverse reactions for these drugs.