POTASSIUM IODIDE

GENERIC NAME: Potassium Iodide

PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASS: Expectorants, Antidote
ATC CODE: R05CA02
PRACTICE INSIGHTS:

Don't give concurrently with other potassium-containing drugs or potassiumsparing diuretics, because of increasedrisk of hyperkalemia, arrhythmias, and ca
rdiac arrest.

DOSE
ADULT:
Radiation emergency

130 mg every day; not to exceed 1 dose/24 hr

Expectorant
Oral

2SSKI: 300-600 mg every 6-8hr

Thyrotoxic Crisis
Oral

250-500 mg (5-10 gtt of 1 g/mL) every 4-6hr

Preoperative thyroidectomy
Oral

50-250 mg (1-5 gtt of 1 g/mL) every 8hr

PEDIATRIC:
Expectorant

SSKI: 60-250 mg every 6hr

DOSE ADJUSTMENT
Hepatic impairment

No dosage adjustment necessary

Renal impairment

Should be used cautiously in patients with renal dysfunction, an increase in

serum potassium can occur in patients with renal impairment.

INDICATIONS (OPTIONAL):

Cystic fibrosis

Chronic sinusitis

PREGNANCY & LACTATION:

Category D
Excretion in breast milk known/not recommended

MODE OF ACTION:

Expectorant :Iodine helps to increase respiratory secretions and decrease

viscosity
Hyperthyroidism: Suppresses thyroid hormone synthesis
Thyroid protective: Systemically circulating potassium iodide is readily taken up
by thyroid gland by sodium/iodide transporter in basal membrane;
concentration gradient of thyroid gland to plasma is 20-50:1

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS:

Frequency not defined: Arrhythmia, skin rash, gastrointestinal irritation or bleeding,
diarrhea, paresthesia, swelling or neck or throatgoiter, hypothyroidism,
hyperthyroidism, myxedema, thyroid adenoma, allergic reactions (fever, rash), lymph
node swelling, salivary gland swelling/tenderness.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
CONTRAINDICATIONS & WARNINGS:

Contraindicated in
o Hypersensitivity to Iodine
o Hyperthyroidism
o Respiratory failure
Caution in
o Iodine poisoning

DIETARY & GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Tell Patient to dilute in at least 6 oz of water or juice and to take with meals.
Use straw to help prevent tooth discoloration

MONITORING PARAMETERS:

Monitor:
o Potassium levels
o Thyroid function tests
o ECG
o Renal function, fluid intake and output
o Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels function tests