Brand Names

How to Use

If potassium iodide upsets your stomach, take it after meals or with food or milk unless otherwise directed by your family doctor. If stomach upset - nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea continues, check with your family doctor.

For diseaseds taking this drug for radiation exposure :

• Take this drug only when directed to do so by state or local public health authorities.
• Take this drug once daily until the risk of significant exposure to radiation no longer exists.Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than directed . Taking more of the drug will not protect you better and may result in a greater risk of side effects.

For diseaseds taking the oral solution form of this drug:

• This drug is to be taken by mouth even if it comes in a dropper bottle.
• Do not use if solution turns brownish yellow.
• Take potassium iodide in a full glass - 8 ounces of water or in fruit juice, milk, or broth to improve the taste and lessen stomach upset. Be sure to drink all of the liquid to get the full dose of drug.
• If crystals form in potassium iodide solution, they may be dissolved by warming the closed container of solution in warm water and then gently shaking the container.

For diseaseds taking the uncoated tablet form of this drug:

• Before taking, dissolve each tablet in 1/2 glass - 4 ounces of water or milk. Be sure to drink all of the liquid to get the full dose of drug.

Dosage

The amount of solution or syrup or the number of tablets you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking potassium iodide .

• For solution dosage form:
  • To treat overactive thyroid - hyperthyroidism:
    • Adults and teenagers 250 milligrams - mg - 0.25 milliliters "mL " three times a day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • To protect the thyroid gland against radiation exposure:
    • Adults or teenagers approaching adult weight - greater than 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight 130 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children through 1 month of age 16 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children over 1 month through 3 years of age 32 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children and teenagers over 3 years through 18 years of age - less than 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight 65 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
• For syrup dosage form:
  • To protect the thyroid gland against radiation exposure:
    • Adults or teenagers approaching adult weight - 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight greater 130 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children through 1 month of age 16 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children over 1 month through 3 years of age 32 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children and teenagers over 3 years through 18 years of age - less than 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight 65 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
• For tablet dosage form:
  • To protect the thyroid gland against radiation exposure:
    • Adults or teenagers approaching adult weight - 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight 130 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children through 1 month of age 16 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children over 1 month through 3 years of age 32 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.
    • Children and teenagers over 3 years through 18 years of age - less than 70 kg or 154 lbs of body weight 65 mg once a day, until significant risk of exposure to radioiodines no longer exists.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the tablet form of this drug in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Keep the oral liquid forms of this drug from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.