Drug Name: Potassium Iodide
Drug Uses: Potassium iodide is the potassium salt form of iodide, a naturally occurring substance.
How Taken: Take potassium iodide exactly as directed. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain them to you.
To ensure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Take the oral solution with water or another beverage as directed by your doctor.
It is important to take potassium iodide regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with potassium iodide to monitor progress and side effects.
Drug Class and Mechanism Potassium iodide is an expectorant. It thins mucus secretions in the respiratory tract that may be caused by chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Potassium iodide is also used to protect the thyroid gland from radiation injury before and following administration of radioactive iodide (e.g., for diagnostic purposes) and in radiation emergencies (e.g., accidental exposure to radiation).
Missed Dose Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Storage Store potassium iodide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
