Massive Overdosage of Propylthiouracil

Excerpt

Propylthiouracil has been used for many years in treatment of thyrotoxicosis. To date, no occurrence of massive overdosage with this agent has been reported in the literature. (Cumulated Index Medicus for 1968 to 1977 was searched using the term propylthiouracil; the search was not restricted to English language papers. Standard textbooks were also consulted.)

A 12-year-old girl was hospitalized for thyrotoxicosis that could not be managed medically. A subtotal thyroidectomy was done. Five days postoperatively, thyroxine (T4) level determined by radioimmunoassay was 6.6 μg/dL (normal, 5.2 to 13 μg/dL). She was discharged on no therapy. One month after surgery, the