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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010; 118(10): 678-684
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253420
Review

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Medical Treatment of Hyperthyroidism: State of the Art

A. Fumarola1 , A. Di Fiore1 , M. Dainelli1 , G. Grani1 , A. Calvanese1
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, UOC Endocrinologia A, “Sapienza” Universitá di Roma, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 30.11.2009 first decision 21.01.2010

accepted 15.02.2010

Publication Date:
21 May 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) are the main antithyroid drugs used for hyperthyroidism. They inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone at various levels and are used as the primary treatment for hyperthyroidism or as a preparation before radioiodine therapy or thyroidectomy. MMI is the drug of choice because of its widespread availability, longer half-life and small number of severe side effects. Drugs of second choice are potassium perchlorate, beta blockers, iodine, lithium carbonate and glucocorticoids. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against human CD20, was recently proposed as a biological therapy for cases of Graves’ disease unresponsive to traditional drugs.

Key words

Hyperthyroidism - Graves' disease - Thionamides

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Correspondence

Prof. A. Fumarola

Dept. of Experimental Medicine

Sapienza Universitá di Roma

V. le Regina Elena, 324

00161 Rome

Italy

Phone: + 39/06/4997 2094

Phone: + 39/06/4997 2586

Email: angela.fumarola@uniroma1.it