What Do I Do About Contact With Methimazole Affecting My Thyroid Function?

Posted on Wed, 30 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 May 2018 Answered on

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : I am giving my pet cat methimazole. Someone told me that I shouldn't touch the pills (which I have to snap in half) with my naked fingers, because my fingers can absorb the medication from the pills and it would affect my own thyroid function. Is this true?

Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Methimazole tablets may get absorbed through the intact skin.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Methimazole is an anti-thyroid drug that used to treat hyperfunctioning thyroid diseases. It is used orally to treat thyroid problems. There is also topical gel preparations of methimazole that is used to apply to the skin of pets.

Methimazole (Felimazole is the pet designed form) tablets may absorb through the intact skin and affect thyroid function. It should be handled cautiously.

You should always wear safety gloves while touching the tablets, breaking the tablets into the half with your fingers. Always wash your hands with soap after administering the tablets or after contact with the litter or vomit of your cat.

Hope, this information is helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee