sore throat on Carbimazole

[Rowan4]

hi all, I’m panicking little at the moment. I recently had to increase my Carbimazole from 5mg per day to 15mg per day (4 weeks ago or so). On Wednesday I started getting a sore throat, it’s still there now. It’s pretty mild but it’s still there. Does a mild sore throat warrant bloods getting done?

I have major health anxiety and absolutely hate getting my bloods done as if anything is even little off it will send me over the edge,

I’d really appreciate some advice, an struggling right now.

thank you

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Yes - it DOES warrant getting bloods done. Sorry.

I wish I could type some reassurance and suggest you just keep yourself comfortable. Carry on and do that anyway.

I can say, we have had a number of members taking Carbimazole who have had blood tests - and it is been OK.

If needed, call 111 or other service.

From a Carbimazole Patient Information Leaflet:

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The

side effects usually happen in the first eight weeks of your treatment. Do not be alarmed by this

list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them.

Allergic reactions

If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away. The signs

may include: sudden rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.

Stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following

side effects:

• Any infection such as a sore throat or mouth ulcers.

• Fever.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Feeling unusually tired.

• You are feeling generally unwell or think that you may have on infection

• Angioedema, a serious allergic reaction with symptoms that may include swollen tongue, lips,

face or throat

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a serious illness with blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals

In addition, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Carbimazole you should also

contact your doctor immediately:

• Liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or white of your eyes (jaundice).

• Nerve pain

• Muscle pain or weakness.

• Swelling of lymph nodes.

• Swelling of glands in your mouth.

• Feeling faint (low blood sugar).

• Kidney problems, with symptoms that include a reduction in the amount of urine passed, fluid

retention and blood in the urine.

These could be signs of muscle problems, jaundice or inflammation of the liver and under medical

supervision your doctor may want you to stop taking the medicine and carry out some blood tests

on you.

Do not stop taking Carbimazole until you have consulted your doctor.

Carbimazole can sometimes cause bone morrow depression which causes a reduction in the

number of blood cells and reduces the ability to fight infection. If it is not treated as soon as it is

detected the condition can become life-threatening. Your doctor should carry out tests to check for

bone marrow depression before restarting your treatment

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Definitely speak to you doctor and arrange for a full blood count test to be done as a precaution.  

Do you have any other signs eg, mouth / throat ulcers, feeling unusually tired, odd bruising?

btf-thyroid.org/antithyroid...

There is a warning card for users to present to doctors as its not well known.  (Even suggests A&E visit on card if you feel very unwell) 

[pennyannie]

Hey there again Rowan ;

Please get medical attention immediately - NHS 111 :

This is a known side effect and I was told to go immediately to A & E if I developed a sore throat when prescribed Carbimazole back in 2004.

Do you have the Patient Information Leaflet there - otherwise read it on the internet :

Go back on the PTU - Propylthiouracil - as suggested in your first question a couple of weeks ago.

[Rowan4]

I meant to reply to both of you to thank you, I went and got my bloods done and my wbc was ok. My thyroid levels hasn’t decreased at all though even after being on meds for 6 weeks. They’re finally in range now tho and I am feeling a lot better but am getting more and more worried about the surgery to háve my thyroid removed