When considering medications for an 8-year-old diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, the initial recommended treatment in this patient is:

Rationale: A. Radioactive iodine is generally reserved for older children or adolescents when medical therapy fails, due to potential long-term effects on growth and fertility. B. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is avoided in children as first-line therapy because of the risk of severe liver toxicity. C. Methimazole (Tapazole) is the preferred initial treatment for pediatric hyperthyroidism, as it effectively controls thyroid hormone production with a safer side effect profile. D. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is used to treat hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism.