Iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 18, 2022.

Uses for iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine)

Strong iodine is used to treat overactive thyroid, iodine deficiency, and to protect the thyroid gland from the effects of radiation from radioactive forms of iodine. It may be used before and after administration of a radioactive medicine containing radioactive iodine or after accidental exposure to radiation (for example, from nuclear power plant accidents). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Strong iodine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine), the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine) or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Strong iodine may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in infants.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of strong iodine in the elderly with use in other age groups, iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine) is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine), it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using iodine and potassium iodide (strong iodine) with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acenocoumarol
• Anisindione
• Dicumarol
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Warfarin

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the ti