Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/bioterrorism-and-drug-preparedness/frequently-asked-questions-potassium-iodide-ki A single daily dose should be administered. This will protect against exposure lasting up to 24 hours (see section 4.4). When you take potassium iodide, your thyroid becomes saturated with nonradioactive iodine. This causes your thyroid to “fill up.” You’ll take potassium iodide before or right after you’re exposed to radioactive iodine. You could also take it 3 to 4 hours after, but it won’t be as effective.

Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130mg - Olivit.co.uk Life Extension Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130mg - Olivit.co.uk

To go along with iodine tablets, you’ll need other radiation protection and detection tools. We suggest looking into: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/bioterrorism-and-drug-preparedness/frequently-asked-questions-potassium-iodide-ki An overactive thyroid gland, thyroiditis, and an enlarged thyroid gland with or without development or myxoedema have also been reported.Owing to the sensitivity of the neonate and foetus thyroid to large doses of iodine, repeated administration of stable iodine should be avoided for neonates and pregnant and lactating women. Neonates will not require further doses. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a maximum of two doses. Teratogenic effects such as congenital goitre and hypothyroidism have been reported when iodides are administered to pregnant women. Potassium salts should be given cautiously to patients with renal or adrenal insufficiency, acute dehydration or heat cramp.

Protocol - NHS England

A newborn (a baby less than 1 month old) could develop hypothyroidism if they take more than the suggested amount of potassium iodide. Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid hormone levels are too low. If doctors don’t treat this, it can cause brain damage. To keep your infant safe: Continued administration may lead to mental depression, nervousness, sexual impotence and insomnia. Potassium iodide should not be given when radioiodine is being administered for the purpose of diagnostic imaging or treatment of the thyroid gland.

Because of this, it’s important to give children, especially newborns, potassium iodide during an emergency. Breastfeeding people should consider temporarily stopping breastfeeding until evacuated from the impacted area, if possible, and safely feed your baby other ways. Radioactive iodine can be passed to infants through breast milk. KI is only recommended for people under 40 and pregnant or breastfeeding people. People with certain medical conditions , including known iodine sensitivity, should not take KI or should talk to a healthcare provider about whether they can safely take KI. Care should be exercised if potassium salts are given concomitantly with potassium-sparing diuretics, as hyperkalaemia may result (see section 4.5). Community Reception Center Simulation Program for Leveraging and Evaluating Resources (CRC SimPLER)

Protocols – Potassium iodate and potassium iodide - NHS England

If you’re in an area that’s had a radiation emergency, the most effective option is evacuation. But potassium iodide can act as an extra measure to keep you safe. For children the medicine may be crushed and mixed with milk, water or juice before administration.

potassium iodide

Q & A: Information about Public Health Issues Related to Polonium-210 Contamination in the United Kingdom As a result, your thyroid will not be able to absorb any type of iodine for the next 24 hours. Excess iodine, either nonradioactive or radioactive, will leave your body via your urine. This can help reduce the risk of thyroid cancer due to radioactive iodine. You should take a different amount of potassium iodide based on your age and weight. There’s a liquid form, a 65-milligram pill, and a 130-milligram pill. For kids and babies that can’t take pills, you can crush or cut pills to create smaller doses. Or you can give them a liquid form of potassium iodide. We don’t consider them a great addition to Everyday Carry (EDC) kits due to their very specific functionality, but that could change based on our ever-changing threats in this world. Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rashes, swollen salivary glands, headache, and bronchospasm can be mild or severe and may be dose dependent.