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DownloadCarbimazole/PTU treatment and sore mouth/throat.
You have been started on carbimazole treatment for an overactive thyroid. This is a very safe treatment that has been used for over 50 years.
However, very rarely, a patient reacts to the drug with a sudden loss of white blood cells (‘neutrophils’) from the blood.
This puts he/she at very high risk from infections and the drug MUST BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. The first sign of this happening is A SEVERE SORE MOUTH OR THROAT FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON.
If you suspect this may have happened:
This patient is on CARBIMAZOLE or PTU. If he/she has a sore throat or mouth it may indicate agranulocytosis, a very rare side effect.
Please:
Department of Endocrinology, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. Telephone: 01273 696955
Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath. Telephone: 01444 441881
Please see here for a link to a short video about thyroid treatment on our website.
This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Publication Date: July 2021
Review Date: April 2024