What should patients taking methimazole do if they experience a fever or sore throat?

Patients taking methimazole need to be particularly vigilant about their white blood cell counts due to the risk of agranulocytosis, a potentially serious side effect of this medication. Experiencing a fever or sore throat can signal an infection or, more concerningly, may indicate a drop in neutrophil levels, which significantly increases the risk of severe infections.

Stopping the medication and getting a complete blood count (CBC) is crucial in this scenario. This practice allows for prompt evaluation of the white blood cell count and, specifically, the neutrophil level. If the CBC shows leukopenia or agranulocytosis, it would warrant immediate medical intervention, as continuing the medication could exacerbate an existing condition or lead to significant health risks.

Monitoring without halting the treatment could lead to undetected complications, and simply consulting a specialist or increasing the dose would not address the potential risks associated with low white blood cell counts. Hence, the best course of action when a patient on methimazole presents with fever or sore throat is indeed to stop the medication and obtain a CBC for further assessment.