Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Aplicare One Tincture Of Iodine
- Iodex
- Iodoflex
- Iodosorb
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tincture
Therapeutic Class: Antibacterial
Uses for iodine
Topical iodine is used to prevent and treat infections that may occur in minor scrapes and cuts. It works by killing bacteria that can cause infections.
Before using 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, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to 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
Use of topical iodine is not recommended for newborn infants because it may cause skin and thyroid problems.
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 topical iodine in the elderly with use in other age groups, iodine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. ...
