Potassium Iodide

Use Helps prevent radioactive iodine from getting into the thyroid gland during a nuclear radiation emergency. Use along with other emergency measures recommended by public officials.

HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE: KI should be taken as soon as possible after public officials tell you. If you are told to repeat the dose, you should take the second dose 24 hours after the first dose. Do not take it sooner. More KI will not help you because the thyroid can “hold” only certain amounts of iodine. Taking more than 1 dose per day will increase the chances of side effects. The public officials will tell you how many days to take KI. You should take KI until the chances of major exposure to radioactive iodine by breathing or swallowing stops. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE: People should avoid KI if they are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease, because these conditions may increase the chances of side effects to iodine.

If pregnant, breastfeeding, have a baby up to 1 month of age or have thyroid disease (except nodular thyroid disease with heart disease) , take as directed and contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Warnings Allergy alert: Iodine may cause an allergic reaction with 1 or more of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or wheezing skin rash trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing swelling fever and joint pain Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to iodine nodular thyroid disease with heart disease hypocomplementemic vasculitis dermatitis herpetiformis Stop use and ask a doctor if you have an allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing; shortness of breath; wheezing; swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat; or rash. irregular heart or chest pain. Get medical help right away. swelling of the hands or feet, fever, or joint pain. Keep Out of Reach of Children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. SIDE EFFECTS: Short-term use of KI at the recommended dose is safe. You should not take this drug for longer than you are told. Possible side effects include: swelling of the salivary glands, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, fever, headache, metallic taste, and allergic reactions. Allergic reaction can include skin rashes such as hives swelling of various parts of the body such as the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet fever with joint pain trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing wheezing or shortness of breath Get medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath; or swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat. Taking iodide, in rare cases, may cause overactivity of the thyroid gland, underactivity of the thyroid gland, or enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland may include an irregular heart beat and chest pain. Patients with thyroid disease are more likely to get these side effects. Babies under 1 month of age are more likely to get an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).