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Carbimazole
This resource explains the potential side effects your child could experience as a result of taking anti-thyroid medication (Carbimazole). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the endocrinology team.
Your child’s consultant is:
Carbimazole
This is an anti-thyroid drug, taken by patients with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease). This medication reduces the amount of thyroid hormone in the body.
Carbimazole is available as tablets, that may be swallowed whole or crushed and mixed with water.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you have forgotten to give your child a dose, you can give them the missed dose, if it is more than 12 hours before the next dose is due. Then give the following dose as normal at the usual time.
If it is less than 12 hours until the next dose is due, simply give your child their next dose at the usual time, accepting that they will have missed a dose.
Carbimazole and pregnancy
Carbimazole can harm an unborn baby whilst in a mother’s womb. This is a particular concern if a mother is taking carbimazole during the first trimester of pregnancy (first 3 months).
Young women of child-bearing potential (those who have started their periods), should speak to their doctor if they think there is any chance of becoming pregnant and use effective contraceptive whilst being treated with carbimazole.
Information:
If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Important side effects
A rare, but serious, side effect of Carbimazole is that it can cause a reduction of white blood cell number. If that number drops too low, it is called ‘agranulocytosis’ and puts the child at risk of serious infection.
Symptoms of agranulocytosis
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms:
- sore throat
- fever of above 37.5 degrees Celsius
- mouth ulcers
Then they must:
- stop taking Carbimazole
- attend a general practice (GP) or emergency department the same day for a blood test for a full blood count
Present this to the doctor or healthcare professional:
Risk of bone marrow supression
This patient is taking Carbimazole for hyperthyroidism. A rare, but serious, potential side effect of this treatment is agranulocytosis. If they are experiencing signs or symptoms of infection, then a full blood count is required. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Mouth Ulcers
If these, or any other concerns of infection, are present the patient should stop taking Carbimazole, and the following should be done:
- Take a Full Blood Count
- If the Absolute Neutrophil Count is greater than 2 x 109 per litre, then Carbimazole may be restarted, and the patient reassured.
- If the Absolute Neutrophil Count is less than 2 x 109 per litre, then discuss the patient with the medical or haematology registrar on-call, and make sure the endocrinology team are informed.
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the endocrinology secretaries on 0114 271 7000.
If you are concerned about your child’s health, ask to speak to the endocrinology nurses or registrar (or the medical registrar on-call if out of hours).
Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know
Disclaimer
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
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Sheffield
S10 2TH
United Kingdom
Switchboard: 0114 271 7000
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