FDA warns of serious liver injury from use of PTU (propylthiouracil) thyroid medication

What is PTU?

PTU (propylthiouracil) is a drug used to treat Graves' disease. Graves' disease is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid. Other treatments for Graves' disease include methimazole, surgery or radioactive iodine.  Methimazole, sold both as a generic and under the brand name Tapazole, can also hurt the liver, but the damage is less severe and causes obvious symptoms.  Further, the damage from methimazole is reversible once the drug stops unlike with propylthiouracil.

PTU Side Effects

PTU can cause serious liver damage in children and adults.  Doctors are warned to use PTU only if their patients can not tolerate MMI.  Reports to FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) suggest there is an increased risk of hepotoxicity with PTU when compared to methimazole (MMI).  FDA has identified 32 cases (22 adult and 10 pediatric) of serious liver injury associated with PTU use.  The FDA advises that physicians should closely monitor patients on PTU therapy for symptoms and signs of liver injury, especially during the first six months after initiation of therapy. 

PTU and Children

PTU when used in children can cause serious liver injuries.  It is estimated that five to 10 children die each year from complications of the drug.  The FDA warns doctors to restrict use of PTU to patients who do not tolerate other therapies.  Reports link propylthiouracil use in children to liver failure, sometimes fatal or requiring a liver transplant. 

Doctors Mattison and Rivkees have completed research on the dangers of PTU use in children.  They published their findings in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine in April of this year.  The doctors estimate that five to 10 children die each year from complications of the drug. 

PTU Lawsuits

If you or a loved one suffered serious injury or a loved one died after taking PTU you may be entitled to financial compensation.  Contact us now for a Free Case Evaluation.

The attorneys at the Allen Law Firm are evaluating claims on behalf of individuals throughout the United States who have taken PTU and suffered serious liver damage or death.

Contact the Allen Law Firm today for a Free PTU Evaluation or call 1-888-345-LAW1.  A lawyer from our firm will call you as soon as possible to help you determine the possibility of filing a potential claim.

The initial consultation is free of charge.  In personal injury cases where individuals have been injured by potentially defective products like PTU, it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence and investigate the the injury.  Further, you must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.  If you delay filing your claim, and the statute of limitations expires, you may lose your rights to compensation.