carbimazole

Carbimazole is a thionamide antithyroid pro-drug that is rapidly and nearly completely converted to its active metabolite, methimazole, after oral administration. It is primarily indicated for the management of hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and the preparation of patients for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy. The drug exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), which prevents the iodination of tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin and the subsequent coupling of iodotyrosines to form the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). By decreasing the synthesis of these hormones, carbimazole helps to alleviate the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis and restore a euthyroid state. It is widely used in Europe and the Commonwealth but is not currently approved for use in the United States, where methimazole is used directly.

Brand names

Neo-MercazoleBimazoleVidaltaCamazolKarbizol

Other names

Carbimazolum1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-thioimidazole