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Questions and Answers
What is the therapeutic class of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What is the therapeutic class of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
Drug for hyperthyroidism
What is the pharmacologic class of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What is the pharmacologic class of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
Antithyroid drug
Which of the following are other drugs in the same class as Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are other drugs in the same class as Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
What is the pregnancy category of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What is the pregnancy category of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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What are some uses of Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
What are some uses of Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
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What action does Propylthiouracil (PTU) perform in the body?
What action does Propylthiouracil (PTU) perform in the body?
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What is the route of administration for Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What is the route of administration for Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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What are the pharmacokinetics of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What are the pharmacokinetics of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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Which of the following are contraindications for Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are contraindications for Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
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What are some adverse effects of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What are some adverse effects of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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Which substances can interact with Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
Which substances can interact with Propylthiouracil (PTU)? (Select all that apply)
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What is the treatment for an overdose of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What is the treatment for an overdose of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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What are some nursing implications for administering Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
What are some nursing implications for administering Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
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Study Notes
Propylthiouracil (PTU) Overview
- Used primarily as a therapeutic agent for hyperthyroidism.
- Classified pharmacologically as an antithyroid drug.
Related Medications
- Methimazole is the first-line treatment for hyperthyroidism.
- Other drugs include potassium iodide and radioactive iodide.
Pregnancy and Safety
- Pregnant women should avoid PTU as it is classified as Pregnancy Category D, indicating potential risks.
Clinical Uses
- Effective in treating Graves' Disease.
- Often used as an adjunct therapy for radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment.
- Applicable in emergency situations for managing thyrotoxicosis.
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits synthesis of thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
- Prevents the conversion of T4 to the more active T3 hormone.
Administration
- Administered orally (PO).
Pharmacokinetics
- Onset of action is 30-40 minutes, but therapeutic effects may take several weeks.
- Peak plasma concentration occurs within 1-1.5 hours.
- Duration of effect lasts 2-4 hours.
Contraindications
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation.
- Not suitable for patients with hypothyroidism, severe immunosuppression, or liver failure.
Adverse Effects
- Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, weight gain, and pruritis.
- May cause headache, numbness, drowsiness, depression, fever, leukopenia, and edema.
- Can lead to severe complications like bradycardia, cold intolerance, liver injury, hepatitis, and agranulocytosis.
Drug Interactions
- Increased risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants.
- Iodine-containing foods/supplements may reduce PTU's effectiveness.
- Possible cross-sensitivity with Methimazole.
- Interaction with digoxin can enhance glycoside effects.
Management of Overdose
- Treatment includes administering thyroid agents to correct resultant hypothyroidism.
- Atropine may be used for bradycardia.
- Gastric lavage and sodium thiosulfate may assist in managing overdose complications.
Nursing Implications
- Advise patients to take PTU at the same time daily, ideally with meals to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
- Inform patients that therapeutic effects may take 3-12 weeks to manifest.
- Regular monitoring of vital signs, weight, input/output, and complete blood count (CBC) is critical.
- Caution against abruptly discontinuing medication; risk of thyroid crisis.
- Monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism symptoms.
- Educate patients to avoid iodine-rich foods and to consult healthcare providers before taking any OTC medications.
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Description
Explore the pharmacological aspects of Propylthiouracil (PTU), an antithyroid drug used primarily in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Learn about its clinical uses, mechanism of action, safety in pregnancy, and related medications. This quiz provides insights into the administration and pharmacokinetics of PTU as well.
