| Abstrakt: |
Since the introduction of methimazole (1-methyl2-mercaptoimidazole; Tapazole), in 1949, it has been utilized as a potent antithyroid drug. Stanley and Astwood1 found methimazole to be approximately 100 times as active as thiouracil. In recent years it has almost completely replaced thiouracil and propylthiouracil in the medical treatment of hyperthyroidism. However, a number of toxic reactions have been observed with the use of this agent. The occurrence of agranulocytosis following the administration of this drug constitutes a real hazard to life. It is our purpose to direct further attention to this possible dangerous toxic effect of methimazole by reporting three instances of agranulocytosis induced by this drug, one terminating fatally.Schultz2 first described agranulocytic angina, an apparently new disease, in 1922. Since then many persons have died after the ingestion of medicaments prescribed for such diseases as hyperthyroidism, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, allergic diatheses, epilepsy, and the psychoses. Kracke3 |
