Thionamides are a class of drugs that are used to treat hyperthyroidism. The mechanism of action of thionamides is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the inhibition of TPO-mediated coupling and the suppression of T cell-mediated immunity.
Thionamides also decreases the activity of type 1 deiodinase, which is responsible for the activation of T4 (that is its conversion to active thyroid hormone, T3). The result is a decrease in T3 levels and an increase in T4 levels. The net effect is a decrease in thyroid hormone production and an improvement in symptoms.
![Mechanism of action of anti-thyroid drugs](https://endoconsult.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/antithyroid-drugs-722x1024.png)
Liu L, Lu H, Liu Y, Liu C, Xun C. Predicting relapse of Graves’ disease following treatment with antithyroid drugs. Exp Ther Med. 2016 Apr;11(4):1453-1458.
Cooper DS. Antithyroid drugs. N Engl J Med. 2005 Mar 3;352(9):905-17.
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