Carbimazole 5 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), including Graves' disease; Controlling thyroid hormone levels before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment.
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.03 to ₹2.35 per tablet across 5 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbimazole Tablets IP 5 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹10.32 | ₹1.03 | 19 October 2026 |
| Carol 5 | Eris Lifesciences Ltd | 120 | ₹279.37 | ₹2.33 | 19 October 2026 |
| Thyrocab 5 | Corona Remedies Pvt Ltd | 100 | ₹234.10 | ₹2.34 | 19 October 2026 |
| Neo-Mercazole 5 | Abbott | 130 | ₹305.61 | ₹2.35 | 19 October 2026 |
| Anti-Thyrox 5 | Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 100 | ₹235.07 | ₹2.35 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), including Graves' disease.
- Controlling thyroid hormone levels before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment.
- Long-term control of an overactive thyroid when surgery or radioiodine is not suitable.
How to take it
Take the tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes. Adults usually start with 20 to 60 mg a day (that is several 5 mg tablets) split into 2 or 3 doses spaced evenly through the day; once your thyroid levels are stable the dose is reduced, often to a single daily dose. Swallow the tablets whole with water, with or without food. Treatment is usually continued for 12 to 18 months and then gradually withdrawn; some people need it for years. Do not stop on your own – thyroid hormone levels can rise again. See a doctor at once if you get a sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers or feel generally unwell, because carbimazole can rarely lower your white blood cells.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Joint pains.
- Mild itchy rash.
- Hair thinning (usually grows back).
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or any infection – stop and get a blood count done the same day (possible agranulocytosis).
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver problem).
- Bruising or bleeding more easily.
- Sudden severe stomach pain (pancreatitis).
Safety information
Alcohol
No direct interaction, but keep alcohol moderate while your thyroid is being controlled and your liver is being monitored.
Pregnancy
Carbimazole is usually avoided in early pregnancy because of a small risk of birth defects; doctors often switch to propylthiouracil (PTU). If you become pregnant, keep taking it and contact your doctor straight away. Small amounts pass into breast milk, and breastfeeding is usually possible on low doses.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease. Kidney problems are a rare side effect, so report less urine, swelling or blood in urine.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease. Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, which can signal liver injury.
Children
Used in children with an overactive thyroid under a specialist; the dose depends on age and weight.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is already due, take both together – this is one of the few medicines where that is allowed.
Interactions
- Warfarin – the blood-thinning effect may change as your thyroid levels change; INR needs checking.
- Digoxin and theophylline – doses may need adjusting as the thyroid normalises.
- Beta blockers such as propranolol – often prescribed together for palpitations; your doctor will adjust the dose.
- Steroids such as prednisolone and the antipsychotic clozapine – higher risk of low white cells.
- Biotin supplements – can distort thyroid blood test results; stop them before tests or tell your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is Neo-Mercazole 5 used for?
Neo-Mercazole 5 contains carbimazole 5 mg, which reduces the amount of thyroid hormone your thyroid gland makes. It treats an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), including Graves' disease, and is also used to prepare the thyroid before surgery or radioiodine.
How many Neo-Mercazole 5 tablets do I take a day?
It depends on how overactive your thyroid is. Adults commonly start with 20 to 60 mg a day in divided doses and the dose is reduced once blood tests improve. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly and never adjust the dose yourself.
Why must I report a sore throat on carbimazole?
Rarely, carbimazole lowers the white blood cells that fight infection (agranulocytosis). A fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers can be the first sign. Stop the tablet and get a complete blood count the same day.
How long does Thyrocab 5 take to work?
Thyroid hormone levels start falling within a couple of weeks, but it takes 4 to 8 weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor will check thyroid tests every few weeks and adjust the dose.
Can I stop carbimazole once my thyroid tests are normal?
Not on your own. Normal tests mean the tablet is working. Doctors usually continue for 12 to 18 months and then taper off; stopping early makes the thyroid overactive again.
Is Neo-Mercazole 5 safe in pregnancy?
Carbimazole is usually avoided in the first trimester because of a small risk of birth defects, and doctors often switch to propylthiouracil. Do not stop it yourself if you find out you are pregnant – an untreated overactive thyroid is harmful too. Contact your doctor promptly.
Neo-Mercazole vs Thyronorm – what is the difference?
They are opposites. Neo-Mercazole (carbimazole) lowers thyroid hormone for an overactive thyroid. Thyronorm (thyroxine) replaces hormone in an underactive thyroid. Sometimes both are used together in a 'block and replace' plan under a specialist.
Can I take Neo-Mercazole 5 with alcohol?
There is no direct interaction, but keep alcohol moderate, because carbimazole can rarely affect the liver and your doctor is monitoring your liver tests.
Does carbimazole cause hair loss?
Mild hair thinning can occur in the first weeks, and hair usually regrows. Thyroid disease itself also affects hair. Tell your doctor if it is marked.
Sources
- NHS – Carbimazole (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Side effects of carbimazole (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking carbimazole (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms