Graves disease carbimazole 5mg

[jambco984]

My wife is in the UK at the moment but returning to Thailand next week. Only coming back to the UK in September (touch wood).

The doctor here has diagnosed her with a slightly over active thyroid and graves disease, the endocrinologist prescribed carbimazole 2 x 5mg tablets per day for 6 months with monthly checks (know the warning signs too).

Living in Sukhothai comes with geographical challenges though but we've hopefully located a decent doctor in Phitsanulok. Anybody knowing of decent doctors/ specialists in this area please let me know. Thai websites/ links are fine too.

My question is, can you get carbimazole from the pharmacy/ on prescription in Thailand?

Also a decent eye doctor is needed. Couldn't get an appointment on this occasion in the UK so need a specialist (ophthalmologist) in Thailand. Found one in Phitsanulok but again any suggestions.

Lots of questions but hopefully someone can help.

Thanks in advance

[Sheryl]

There is as far as I can determine no brand of carbimazole registered in Thailand. I suggest you discuss with your doctor whether she can switch to methimazole, a very closely related drug which is available in Thailand and is what is usually used here. (In fact, carbimazole is metabolized into methimazole in the body). Methimazole requires no prescription but only large pharmacies will carry it. Brand names Tapazole (imported, expensive), Timazol (locally made brand) and Methimizole Yung Shin (Singaporean brand). If you live most of the time in Thailand switching would be better.

If the need for an opthalmologist is related to her Graves Disease, it is important that she see not just any opthalmologist but one with experience in management of thyroid-associated eye problems.

In the Sukhothai area the best option is probably King Naresuan University Hospital. http://www.med.nu.ac.th/fom/th/nuh2015/ See if they have an "after hours" clinic where she can see specialists by appointment. Even there I cannot guarantee getting a doctor with sufficient expertise/experience in management of Graves Disease and especially its opthalmologic complications;trips to Chiang Mai or Bangkok may be necessary. But try there first.

[lopburi3]

Wife uses the Tapazole brand 5mg and price at Vejthani hospital pharmacy is only 5 baht each so expect must be very inexpensive for local brand at outside drug store.

[jambco984]

Thank you for both of your replies.

The question to the doctor has been asked and now awaiting an answer about the change in meds to methimazole. Hopefully inexpensive if you know of meds at 5 baht :-D

[jambco984]

There is as far as I can determine no brand of carbimazole registered in Thailand. I suggest you discuss with your doctor whether she can switch to methimazole, a very closely related drug which is available in Thailand and is what is usually used here. (In fact, carbimazole is metabolized into methimazole in the body). Methimazole requires no prescription but only large pharmacies will carry it. Brand names Tapazole (imported, expensive), Timazol (locally made brand) and Methimizole Yung Shin (Singaporean brand). If you live most of the time in Thailand switching would be better.

If the need for an opthalmologist is related to her Graves Disease, it is important that she see not just any opthalmologist but one with experience in management of thyroid-associated eye problems.

In the Sukhothai area the best option is probably King Naresuan University Hospital. http://www.med.nu.ac.th/fom/th/nuh2015/ See if they have an "after hours" clinic where she can see specialists by appointment. Even there I cannot guarantee getting a doctor with sufficient expertise/experience in management of Graves Disease and especially its opthalmologic complications;trips to Chiang Mai or Bangkok may be necessary. But try there first.

At work on Friday I got the chance to speak to a pharmacist and she said that it would definitely be ok to take the meds you mentioned. She has been on 10mg per day of carbimazole but the methimazole isn't a comparative swap so need to find out the correct dosage. Hopefully we will here from the specialist before we head back to Thailand on Thursday, or our GP can help us, running out of time.

We're going to call Naresuan hospital on getting back. Hopefully there is a doctor with experience of graves.

[johnatong]

There is as far as I can determine no brand of carbimazole registered in Thailand. I suggest you discuss with your doctor whether she can switch to methimazole, a very closely related drug which is available in Thailand and is what is usually used here. (In fact, carbimazole is metabolized into methimazole in the body). Methimazole requires no prescription but only large pharmacies will carry it. Brand names Tapazole (imported, expensive), Timazol (locally made brand) and Methimizole Yung Shin (Singaporean brand). If you live most of the time in Thailand switching would be better.

If the need for an opthalmologist is related to her Graves Disease, it is important that she see not just any ophthalmologist but one with experience in management of thyroid-associated eye problems.

In the Sukhothai area the best option is probably King Naresuan University Hospital. http://www.med.nu.ac.th/fom/th/nuh2015/ See if they have an "after hours" clinic where she can see specialists by appointment. Even there I cannot guarantee getting a doctor with sufficient expertise/experience in management of Graves Disease and especially its opthalmologic complications;trips to Chiang Mai or Bangkok may be necessary. But try there first.

At work on Friday I got the chance to speak to a pharmacist and she said that it would definitely be ok to take the meds you mentioned. She has been on 10mg per day of carbimazole but the methimazole isn't a comparative swap so need to find out the correct dosage. Hopefully we will here from the specialist before we head back to Thailand on Thursday, or our GP can help us, running out of time.

We're going to call Naresuan hospital on getting back. Hopefully there is a doctor with experience of graves.

If at all possible you should consider seeking advice from an ophthalmologist based at the specialist eye hospital Rutnin in Bangkok.

http://www.rutnin.com/eng/