title: An update on the medical treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism.
abstract: Medical treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism is based on the use of thionamides; namely, methimazole and propylthiouracil. In the past, methimazole was preferred by European endocrinologists, whereas propylthiouracil was the first choice for the majority of their North American colleagues. However, because of the recent definition of a better side-effect profile, methimazole is nowadays the first choice world while. Although thionamides are quite effective for the short-term control of Graves' hyperthyroidism, a relatively high proportion of patients relapses after thionamide withdrawal. Other possible medical treatments, include iodine and compounds containing iodine, perchlorate, lithium (as an adjuvant in patients undergoing radioiodine therapy), β-adrenergic antagonists, glucocorticoids, and some new molecules still under investigation. Management of Graves' hyperthyroidism using thionamides as well as the other available medical treatments is here reviewed in detail, with a special mention of situations such as pregnancy and lactation, as well as neonatal and fetal thyrotoxicosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, michele.marino@med.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marinò
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Latrofa
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menconi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiovato
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vitti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D008713:Methimazole; D011441:Propylthiouracil