POTASSIUM IODIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Pima
Thyro-Block
KI
SSKI

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihyperthyroid

Uses

• Treats overactive thyroid disease.
• Treats iodine deficiency.
• Formerly used to decrease thickness of bronchial secretions.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Take in full glass of water, fruit juice, milk or broth.

When to take:
Take after meals and at bedtime with food or milk.
Follow your doctor's instructions.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Decreases release of thyroid hormone.

Time lapse before drug works:
Approximately 10 days.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Black or tarry stools. Discontinue. Seek emergency treatment.

Common:

• Skin rash, swollen salivary glands.
• Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain.

Infrequent:

Burning mouth, severe headache, increased salivation.

Rare:

Confusion, fever, heartbeat irregularities, numbness and tingling of feet and hands, swollen neck, unusual tiredness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are intolerant of or allergic to potassium iodide.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have kidney disease.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Avoid.

Prolonged use:

• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check serum potassium levels.
• If burning mouth, headache or salivation occur, discontinue and call doctor.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel confused, drowsy or dizzy.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• Don't use if solution turns yellow.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	May raise potassium level in blood
captopril, enalapril,	to toxic levels.
Antithyroid drugs*	Excessive effect of antithyroid
	drugs.
Diuretics, potassium-	May raise potassium in blood to
sparing*	toxic levels.
Lithium	Increased chance of producing a
	thyroid goiter.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	No special problems expected.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	No special problems expected.
High in iodine.	Too much iodine in blood.
Marijuana:	No special problems expected.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.