LOSS OF TASTE AS TOXIC EFFECT OF METHIMAZOLE (TAPAZOLE) THERAPY

Methimazole (Tapazole) has generally been accepted as an effective antithyroid agent. Clinical studies have shown it to be the most potent compound available today.¹The high potency of methimazole suggested that it might produce less toxic reactions than other antithyroid drugs, since the required dose would be smaller. The number of reported cases is not large enough to draw any statistically accurate conclusions, but early reports seem to indicate that the incidence of toxicity from methimazole is about the same as that from propylthiouracil. Recently, we have seen three patients in whom unusual and distressing side-effects developed while receiving methimazole: two completely lost their sense of taste, and a third lost sensations of both taste and smell. In all three, the senses returned two or three weeks after administration of the drug was discontinued.

REPORT OF CASES

Case 1.—

A 55-year-old man was seen at Emory University Hospital with