Neo-Mercazole 5: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Also known as: Neomercazole, Neo-Mercazole, Neomercazole 5 mg, Neomercazole 5 tablet, Carbimazole 5 mg, Neomercazole 5
Neo-Mercazole 5 is a prescription tablet containing 5 mg of carbimazole, used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). It belongs to a group called antithyroid medicines and lowers the amount of thyroid hormone the gland makes. It is taken only on a doctor's prescription with regular blood tests. A sore throat, fever or mouth ulcers while taking it need urgent medical help, because carbimazole can rarely lower the white blood cell count.
- Active ingredient
- Carbimazole 5 mg
- Type of medicine
- Antithyroid medicines
- Starts working in
- Varies from person to person; the doctor uses blood tests to judge the effect
- Effect lasts
- Follow the prescription; treatment often continues for 12 to 18 months before the dose is lowered and stopped
- With or without food
- Can be taken with or without food; taking it with or after food may ease nausea
- Alcohol
- Alcohol can add to dizziness and nausea; ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- Not often recommended; tell your doctor straight away if you are or may be pregnant and do not stop it on your own
- Habit-forming
- No
- Made by
- Abbott India Ltd
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Neo-Mercazole 5 used for?
- How does Neo-Mercazole 5 work?
- How to take Neo-Mercazole 5
- Side effects of Neo-Mercazole 5
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Neo-Mercazole 5
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Neo-Mercazole 5 used for?
Neo-Mercazole 5 is a prescription medicine. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to treat an overactive thyroid.
- Treating an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), where the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone
How does Neo-Mercazole 5 work?
The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormone. Carbimazole is changed in the body into thiamazole, which blocks this process, so less hormone is made. As the hormone level in the blood falls, symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, shakiness and weight loss ease.
What happens in your body after you take it
You swallow the tablet
The tablet dissolves in the gut and carbimazole is absorbed into the blood. It can be taken with or without food.
It becomes the active form
The body changes carbimazole into thiamazole, which is the form that acts on the thyroid.
It reaches the thyroid gland
The active form collects in the thyroid gland in the neck, which is where thyroid hormone is made.
Hormone production slows
It blocks the step in which the gland uses iodine to build thyroid hormone, so less new hormone is made. Hormone already stored in the gland is used up first, so the full effect takes time.
Blood tests guide the dose
As levels settle, symptoms ease. The doctor checks thyroid blood tests and adjusts the dose, and later lowers and stops it.
How to take Neo-Mercazole 5
Take Neo-Mercazole 5 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides the dose and adjusts it using blood tests.
- Swallow the tablets whole with water. They can be taken with or without food.
- You may need more than one tablet for each dose. The strength and number are set by your doctor.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is due, follow the pack or ask your pharmacist; do not guess.
- Do not stop it on your own: thyroid hormone levels can rise again and symptoms can return.
- Thyroid blood tests are needed before and during treatment, often every few weeks at first and then less often.
Side effects of Neo-Mercazole 5
Many people have no problems, or mild ones that ease within a few weeks. A few side effects are serious and need quick medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Painful joints
- Itchy skin or a mild rash
- Thinning hair
Rare but serious: get medical help
- A high temperature, sore throat, mouth ulcers, severe tiredness or a flu-like illness: these can be signs of a low white blood cell count (agranulocytosis). Seek medical help straight away and say you take carbimazole
- Signs of infection, or bruising and bleeding more easily than usual
- Yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine (possible liver problems)
- Sudden severe stomach pain (possible pancreatitis)
- Muscle pain or weakness, nerve pain, or passing much less urine
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get emergency help
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking Neo-Mercazole 5, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to carbimazole, thiamazole or any ingredient of the tablet
- Blood problems: if you get a sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers or flu-like symptoms, get medical help at once and tell them you take carbimazole
- Pregnancy: carbimazole is not often recommended in pregnancy. Tell your doctor straight away if you are pregnant or planning a baby, and do not stop it on your own
- Breastfeeding: usually acceptable, but tell your doctor, and watch the baby for poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or irritability
- Liver problems: report yellow skin or eyes or dark urine
- Stopping: do not stop without your doctor, because symptoms can return
- Allergy to carbimazole, thiamazole or any ingredient of the tablet
- Surgery or dental work: tell the doctor or dentist that you take it
Medicines and things that interact with Neo-Mercazole 5
Neo-Mercazole 5 can change how other medicines work as thyroid levels change. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin: their effect can change as the thyroid becomes controlled, so clotting tests may be needed
- Digoxin and some asthma medicines such as theophylline: their dose may need review as thyroid levels change
- Iodine-containing products and supplements, including some seaweed or kelp products: ask your doctor
- Other medicines that can lower the white blood cell count: ask your doctor before combining
Effects on lab tests
- Thyroid blood tests (thyroid hormone levels): used to set and adjust the dose
- Blood counts if a sore throat, fever or infection symptoms appear
If someone takes too much
One extra dose is unlikely to cause more side effects. If you have taken two or more extra doses, or feel unwell, speak to a doctor or pharmacist. If someone is very unwell, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.
Storage
Store below 30 C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, in the original strip, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Single-ingredient carbimazole is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Neomercazole 5 is expected to contain carbimazole only; confirm on the pack.
Other brands with the same medicine
Carbimazole 5 mg tablets are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Do not switch between products or strengths without asking your doctor.
Other strengths and forms
Carbimazole is also sold in other strengths. The strength is printed on the pack and is not the same across products, so check the label of the one you have.
Common questions
Is Neo-Mercazole 5 a prescription medicine?
Yes. Carbimazole is a prescription medicine. It should be taken only if a doctor has prescribed it, with regular thyroid blood tests. Do not start, stop or change it without the doctor's advice.
What should I do if I get a sore throat or fever on Neo-Mercazole 5?
Get medical help straight away, and tell them you take carbimazole. A sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers or a flu-like illness can be a sign of a low white blood cell count, which needs a blood test. Do not wait for it to pass.
How long is Neo-Mercazole 5 taken for?
The doctor decides. Treatment often lasts 12 to 18 months, then the dose is lowered and stopped, though some people need it for longer. Blood tests guide the changes. Do not stop on your own, because symptoms can return.
Can I take Neo-Mercazole 5 in pregnancy?
It is not often recommended in pregnancy, and doctors may switch to another medicine. If you are pregnant or planning a baby, tell your doctor straight away. Do not stop it yourself, because an untreated overactive thyroid can also affect the baby.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Neo-Mercazole 5?
Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due, ask your pharmacist or doctor how to carry on rather than guessing. Never take extra tablets to make up. If you often forget, ask your pharmacist about reminders.
Can I take Neo-Mercazole 5 with food?
Yes. It can be taken with or without food, and taking it with or after food may ease nausea. Swallow the tablets whole with water, and follow the label or your doctor's advice.
What is the difference between Neo-Mercazole 5 and carbimazole 5 mg?
Neo-Mercazole is a brand name, and carbimazole is the medicine inside it. Generic carbimazole 5 mg tablets contain the same active ingredient. Check the strength on the pack and ask your doctor before switching.
Sources
- Carbimazole. NHS (UK)
- Carbimazole: how and when to take it. NHS (UK)
- Carbimazole: side effects. NHS (UK)
- Carbimazole: pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility. NHS (UK)
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: H03BB Sulfur-containing imidazole derivatives. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)