Research Area: Endocrinology Biological Activity: Methimazole(Tapazole, Northyx) is an antithyroid medicine. Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. [1] Methimazole inhibits the addition of iodine to thyroglobulin by the enzyme thyroperoxidase, a necessary step in the synthesis of triiodothyronine(T3) and thyroxine(T4). It does not inhibit the action of the sodium-dependent iodide transporter located on follicular cells’ basolateral membranes. Inhibition of this step requires competitive inhibitors such as perchlorate and thiocyanate. [1] |