Potassium Iodide (Oral Route)

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Potassium Iodide (Oral Route)

US Brand Names

Description

Potassium iodide is used to treat overactive thyroid and to protect the thyroid gland from the effects of radiation from inhaled or swallowed radioactive iodine. It may be used before and after administration of medicine containing radioactive iodine or after accidental exposure to radioactive iodine (for example, from nuclear power plant accidents that involved release of radioactivity to the environment). It may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.

Potassium iodide is taken by mouth. It may be taken as an oral solution, syrup, uncoated tablet, or enteric-coated delayed-release tablet. However, the delayed-release tablet form may cause serious side effects and its use is generally not recommended.

Some brands of the oral solution are available without a prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, potassium iodide is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• To prepare the thyroid gland before a thyroid operation
• Iodine deficiency
• Certain skin conditions caused by fungus

In addition to the above information, for patients taking this medicine for a fungus infection:

• Keep taking it for the full course of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. This will help clear up your infection completely. Do not miss any doses .

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