methimazole
NowPatient helps you obtain your methimazole prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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Lower the cost of your methimazole prescription
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methimazole key facts
What dosages is methimazole available in?
methimazole is available as a 5 mg and 10 mg oral tablet.
What is methimazole used for?
methimazole is an antithyroid agent that is used to treat high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) in people:
With Graves’ disease or other medical conditions who can’t receive thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
Who are preparing to undergo thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
How does methimazole work?
methimazole belongs to a class of medications called antithyroids. It works by blocking the thyroid gland from making thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help regulate your body temperature, control how your body uses energy, and keep your organ systems working well. But having too much thyroid hormone in your body can cause unpleasant symptoms, including weight loss, irregular heartbeat, frequent bowel movements, an enlarged thyroid gland, and feeling hot when others don’t. By blocking your thyroid from making these hormones, methimazole helps to bring your thyroid hormone levels down to a healthy level. This will help relieve your symptoms and give you more energy throughout the day.
How do I take methimazole?
Your dose depends on whether you’re starting or continuing therapy. Your provider will adjust your continuing dose throughout treatment based on your thyroid hormone levels.
Adults: The typical starting dose ranges from 15 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on how severe your hyperthyroidism is. The total daily dose is split into 3 smaller doses that are taken by mouth every 8 hours. Once your thyroid hormone levels become normal, you’ll continue treatment at a maintenance dose that typically ranges from 5 mg to 15 mg taken once a day. Children: The dose will depend on your child’s body weight. The typical starting dose is 0.4 mg/kg of body weight per day. This total dose is split into 3 smaller doses given by mouth every 8 hours. The typical maintenance dose is about half of the starting dose.
Is it safe for me to take methimazole?
methimazole is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
methimazole Common Side Effects
Common side effects of methimazole:
- Raised, itchy rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Loss of taste
- Unusual hair loss
- Drowsiness
methimazole Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with methimazole. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low white blood cells (agranulocytosis): fever, fatigue, chills, sore throat
- Inflamed blood vessels (vasculitis): rash, nerve pain, chest pain, stomach pain
- Unusual bleeding or bruising: black stools, blood in urine, bleeding or bruising that doesn’t go away
- Liver problems: upper right stomach pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or whites of eyes (jaundice)
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on methimazole
The following medications may interact with methimazole:
- Anticoagulants (oral):
- Due to potential inhibition of vitamin K activity by methimazole, the activity of oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) may be increased; additional monitoring of PT/INR should be considered, especially before surgical procedures
- β-adrenergic blocking agents:
- Hyperthyroidism may cause an increased clearance of beta blockers with a high extraction ratio. A dose reduction of beta-adrenergic blockers may be needed when a hyperthyroid patient becomes euthyroid
- Digitalis glycosides
- Serum digitalis levels may be increased when hyperthyroid patients on a stable digitalis glycoside regimen become euthyroid; a reduced dosage of digitalis glycosides may be needed
- Theophylline: Theophylline clearance may decrease when hyperthyroid patients on a stable theophylline regimen become euthyroid; a reduced dose of theophylline may be needed
Who makes methimazole?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is methimazole safe in pregnancy?
Because of the risk for congenital malformations associated with use of methimazole in the first trimester of pregnancy, it may be appropriate to use other agents in pregnant women requiring treatment for hyperthyroidism. If methimazole is used, the lowest possible dose to control the maternal disease should be given.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my methimazole prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your methimazole prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient methimazole savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient methimazole savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for methimazole | Canadian Prescription Savings* for methimazole | methimazole Drug Coupon* | methimazole Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of methimazole?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for methimazole | Canadian Prescription Savings* for methimazole | methimazole Drug Coupon* | methimazole Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the methimazole savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the methimazole drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for methimazole, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the methimazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, methimazole is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed methimazole for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the methimazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the methimazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for methimazole
If you are having trouble paying for your methimazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for methimazole you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- methimazole is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers methimazole
- If methimazole is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for methimazole
If you are having trouble paying for your methimazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for methimazole you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers methimazole
- If methimazole is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for methimazole
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your methimazole treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for methimazole you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for methimazole
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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