Thiamazole

Thiamazole	Last updated: 06/09/2025
(Also known as: methimazole; tapazole; dibazol; methylmercaptoimidazole )

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An antithyroid veterinary medication and chemical degradation product of carbimazole

Examples of veterinary uses

Used for the stabilisation and treatment of hyperthyroidism

Examples of species treated

Cats

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₄H₆N₂S

Canonical SMILES

CN1C=CNC1=S

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

PMRYVIKBURPHAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C4H6N2S/c1-6-3-2-5-4(6)7/h2-3H,1H3,(H,5,7)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
thiamazole	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antithyroid drug, Medicinal drug

Metabolite Type

Human; Animal

Substance groups

Thioamide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Inhibits the addition of iodine to thyroglobulin by the enzyme thyroperoxidase

Molecular targets

[Thyroperoxidase, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

60-56-0

EC number

200-482-4

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Systemic hormonal preparations:Thyroid therapy: Sulphur-containing imidazole derivatives

ATCvet Code

QH03BB02

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

114.17

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

1-methyl-3H-imidazole-2-thione

CAS name

1-methyl-1,3-dihydroimidazole-2-thione

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Beige coloured, odourous powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1949, developed

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Dechra Ltd

Example products using this active

Felimazole Coated Tablets

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied in tablet form for oral administration

Commercial production

Thiamazole is synthesised through a relatively straightforward chemical process involving the formation of a thiazole ring, which is central to its structure. One efficient method begins with methylimidazole as the starting material, which is reacted with elemental sulphur under heat treatment to induce cyclisation and form the thiazole core. This reaction typically occurs under controlled temperature and solvent conditions to ensure proper ring closure and substitution. After the initial reaction, the crude product is purified through crystallisation or solvent extraction to isolate thiamazole in its active form.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

2.75

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

8000

Ether

220000

Chloroform

200000

Methanol

Melting point (°C)

146

Boiling point (°C)

155

Degradation point (°C)

280

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

5.01 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.3

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.36

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

glucuronide

Animals (Urine)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2250

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2250

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 1050 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 500 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Some metabolism, parent and metabolites excreted in urine and faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause joint and muscle pain, drowsiness or dizziness
Possible blood, liver, endocrine and thyroid toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Slightly flammable
Emits toxic fumes of nitroxides and sulfoxides in a fire
Risk of dust explosion

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H317, H319, H361

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

thiamazole

French

thiamazol

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

tiamazol

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	06/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242