Methimazole and Propylthiouracil interaction

Methimazole and Propylthiouracil: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Propylthiouracil label · effective 2026-08-27

Major

Propylthiouracil should be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate methimazole and in whom radioactive iodine therapy or surgery are not appropriate treatments for the management of hyperthyroidism.

Boxed warningnames MethimazoleView label on DailyMed
Major

For this reason, propylthiouracil is not recommended for pediatric patients except when methimazole is not well-tolerated and surgery or radioactive iodine therapy are not appropriate therapies.

Warningsnames MethimazoleView label on DailyMed
Minor

No cases of liver failure have been reported with the use of methimazole in pediatric patients.

Warningsnames MethimazoleView label on DailyMed

From the Methimazole label · effective 2026-07-06

Moderate

Liver Toxicity Although there have been reports of hepatotoxicity (including acute liver failure) associated with methimazole, the risk of hepatotoxicity appears to be less with methimazole than with propylthiouracil, especially in the pediatric population.

Warningsnames PropylthiouracilView label on DailyMed

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.