If you are taking medications, lalo na pag long-term ang pag-inom nito, mahalaga ang consistency. Kaya pag may nagbago, tulad ng pangalan o packaging, our normal reaction is to worry. “Pareho pa rin ba ito ng gamot na iniinom ko? Safe pa rin ba ito para sa akin?” These are just some of the questions you might find yourself asking.
Kung isa ka sa mga umiinom ng Tapdin®, this situation might feel familiar to you. Baka napansin mo na ang pagbabago sa generic name ng iniinom mong gamot, and you might be confused. Ang kilala mo dati bilang methimazole ay thiamazole na ngayon. But let me tell you something—you don’t have to be worried. Walang nagbago sa gamot. They are the same compound, and they have the same pharmacological effects. In simpler words, nag-iba lang ang pangalan, pero pareho pa rin ang laman. To give you assurance, let us explain to you through this article kung ano nga ba ang methimazole o thiamazole at kung bakit napalitan ang pangalan nito.
What is Methimazole or Thiamazole?
Methimazole is primarily used as a treatment for hyperthyroidism, which is a condition where your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include weight loss, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, shaky hands, excessive sweating or heat sensitivity, and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Methimazole works by blocking or slowing down your body’s production of thyroid hormones para bumalik sa normal ang iyong thyroid function. It is also used as a treatment for Graves’ disease, one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism. This condition is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your thyroid, leading to the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Maaari rin gamitin ang methimazole ng mga hyperthyroid patients na naghahanda for thyroidectomy (isang surgery na ginagawa para tanggalin ang thyroid gland). It can also be used as adjunct to radioiodine therapy to effectively control your thyroid hormone levels and as a treatment for thyroid storm, a life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism.
So, ano naman ang thiamazole? Well, it’s basically everything methimazole is. They treat the same conditions, work the same way, and have the same effects on the body. Ang methimazole at thiamazole ay iisang gamot lamang. But if that is the case, mapapatanong ka pa rin: bakit may dalawang pangalan ito?
Why Are There Different Names?
Think of it this way: ang gamot ay parang salita na may iba’t ibang translation sa iba’t ibang lenggwahe. For example, in Filipino, we call it “bahay.” But in English, we call it “house.” Magkaiba ang tawag, but it is essentially the same thing. Parang ganyan lang din ang generic name ng mga gamot. Just like how there are different languages around the world, there are also various naming systems for medicines. Among these drug naming systems are the United States Adopted Names (USAN) and the International Nonproprietary Names (INN).
The United States Adopted Names, or USAN, is the system used in the United States, at dito kilala ang gamot bilang methimazole. On the other hand, the International Nonproprietary Names, or INN, was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO). As part of its mandate to “develop, establish and promote international standards with respect to biological, pharmaceutical and similar products,” WHO developed the INN system to ensure na mayroong universally accepted name ang bawat gamot. This helps both healthcare professionals and patients avoid confusion, at nasisiguro din nito ang safety ng mga pasyente. It is under the INN system na kilala ang methimazole as thiamazole.
Following a directive from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to adopt the INN system, thiamazole na ang nakikita mong pangalan sa label o packaging. Kaya huwag ka nang malito o mag-alala. Parehong-pareho pa rin ang gamot. Walang nagbago sa formulation at epekto nito. Generic name lang ang nagbago. At ang mahalaga ay kahit ano pa ang nakasulat sa label, methimazole o thiamazole man, dama mo pa rin ang todo aruga para sa iyong thyroid sa Tapdin®.
Katulad ng ibang gamot, maaari ring magdulot ng side effects ang Thiamazole/Methimazole (Tapdin®). The side effects may include:
- Nausea & vomiting
- Gastric discomfort o pananakit ng tiyan
- Headaches
- Joint pain or arthralgia
- Skin rashes
- Itching
- Hair loss
More adverse side effects include:
- Aplastic anemia or isolated thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Agranulocytosis
If you experience any side effects that cause you concern, consult with your doctor immediately.
Despite the change in generic name, one thing is for sure: Methimazole 5 or Thiamazole 20… Tapdin pa din! The efficacy and safety of Thiamazole/Methimazole (Tapdin®) remain the same dahil sa MedChoice Pharma, dedicated kami sa paghahatid sa inyo ng todo aruga. Ano man ang pangalan, katuwang mo pa rin ang Tapdin® sa iyong journey for better thyroid health.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute professional expertise. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
References:
American Medical Association. (n.d.). United States Adopted Names naming guidelines. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.ama-assn.org/about/united-states-adopted-names/united-states-adopted-names-naming-guidelines.
Awosika, Ayoola O. et al. (2023). Methimazole. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545223/.
Food and Drug Administration. (2016). Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Generic Labeling Requirements of Drug Products for Human Use. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Administrative-Order-No.-2016-0008.pdf.
MedChoice Pharma. (n.d.). Methimazole/Thiamazole (TAPDIN). Retrieved from https://www.medchoicepharma.com/product/tapdin-methimazole/.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid). Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hyperthyroidism.
National University of Singapore. (2017). Carbimazole, thiamazole, methimazole – what is the difference? Retrieved from https://blog.nus.edu.sg/phcdgs/2017/11/29/carbimazole-thiamazole-methimazole-what-is-the-difference/.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). International Nonproprietary Names Programme and Classification of Medical Products. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-and-policy-standards/inn.