Potassium iodide

A metabolic product produced by many pharmaceutical plants, potassium iodide is widely used in medicine for the treatment of many pathological conditions and diseases, the causal factors of which are iodine and potassium deficiency in the human body.

[ 1 ]

Indications Potassium iodide

Indications for use of the drug are:

1. Cataract.
2. Hyperthyroidism.
3. Erythema nodosum.
4. Preparatory therapy before surgery for thyrotoxicosis.
5. Clouding of the glass body of the cornea, hemorrhage into the membrane of the eye.
6. Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.
7. Cutaneous lymphatic sporotrichosis.
8. Bronchial asthma.
9. Candidal infection of the cornea and outer shell of the eyeball.
10. An adjuvant drug in the treatment of syphilis.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Release form

Tablets (with or without protective coating) are available in dosages of 100 and 200 mcg of the active substance potassium iodide (KI).

Packaging – a yellow glass container.
Another form of release is a 3% solution, released as eye drops. Packaging – a 10 ml polyethylene bottle with a dispenser cap. Glass bottle with a volume of 200 ml – 0.25%, 10% and 20% content of the active substance potassium iodide.
Excipients: sodium thiosulfate, purified water, chlorhexidine diacetate, sodium chloride.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Pharmacodynamics

When entering the body, the drug exhibits pharmacodynamics inherent to its active substance - potassium iodide. By replenishing iodine deficiency, the drug exhibits antithyroid action, normalizing the synthesis of hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), performed by thyroid cells.
Potassium iodide has a mucolytic (expectorant) and resorptive effect, allowing to effectively, without changing the volume, liquefy and actively remove mucus accumulated in the bronchi.

Potassium iodide has resorption and anti-sclerotic properties, which allows it to be used in the treatment of a number of ophthalmological diseases. Effective resorption of syphilitic keratitis and hemophthalmos infiltrates.
Potassium iodide effectively suppresses the growth and reproduction of invasive fungal forms. It has proteolytic properties, activates metabolic processes. By affecting the metabolism of lipids and proteins, it allows increasing the level of lipoproteins in plasma.
Due to the radioprotective effect of potassium iodide, it helps protect the thyroid gland from the accumulation of radioactive iodine in it. It acts as a protective barrier against the negative effects of radiation.
Iodine ions help reduce blood viscosity, allowing you to "slow down" the aging process and the development of atherosclerosis.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of the drug have not been thoroughly studied. It is only known that potassium iodide is not metabolized in the patient's body and is excreted by the kidneys along with urine.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ], [ 17 ]

Dosing and administration

When taken orally, to avoid irritation of the mucous membrane, it is advisable to wash down the medicine with sweetened tea or milk and take it after meals.
In case of candidal damage to the respiratory organs, the drug is prescribed in a tablespoon four times a day in the form of a 10-20% solution.
In case of diffuse goiter, the starting dosage is 40 mg three times a day. Gradually, the amount of the drug is increased and reaches 125 mg 1-2 times a day. The course of therapy is 20 days. If necessary, after a ten-day break, the treatment can be repeated.
In the prevention of pathological effects of radioactive damage to the thyroid gland, the drug is prescribed at 125 mg once a day for 5-10 days.

As a mucolytic agent, potassium iodide is prescribed in the form of syrup or 1-3% solution, orally. It is recommended to take 2-3 tablespoons (equivalent to 0.3-1.0 g) 3-4 times a day.
For ophthalmological diseases, a 3% solution of the drug is used. It is recommended to instill 2 drops into the conjunctival sac, carrying out 3-4 procedures per day for two weeks. According to therapeutic indications, the course of treatment can be repeated.
In endemic goiter, the drug potassium iodide is prescribed once a week at a dose of 40 mg. In areas with low iodine content in water or with increased radiation background, the population is recommended to enrich table salt with potassium iodide, with subsequent consumption in food. For 100 kg of sodium chloride, it is recommended to take from 1.0 to 2.5 g of iodine-containing drug.
In the treatment of syphilis, as an auxiliary pharmacological agent, the drug is prescribed one tablespoon three times a day after meals in the form of a 3-4% solution.

[ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ], [ 23 ]

Use Potassium iodide during pregnancy

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drug is allowed for use, but is taken by a woman under strict monitoring by a doctor. This is due to the risk of suppression of the thyroid gland in a woman and an increase in its size parameters in the fetus. When breastfeeding, there is a high probability of developing allergy symptoms.

Contraindications

The following contraindications to the use of the drug potassium iodide are distinguished:

1. Pulmonary tuberculosis.
2. Hyperfunction of the thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis).
3. Pyoderma.
4. Hemorrhagic diathesis.
5. Nephritis.
6. Hypersensitivity to iodine.
7. Nephrosis.
8. Acne.
9. Furunculosis.
10. History of allergic reactions
11. Toxic thyroid adenoma.
12. Pregnancy.
13. Thyroid cancer.
14. Dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring.

The drug is prescribed with caution in cases of renal dysfunction. Constant monitoring of potassium levels in the blood is required.

[ 18 ]

Side effects Potassium iodide

As a result of using the drug, side effects of the drug may occur, expressed by symptoms:

1. Runny nose.
2. Nausea.
3. Signs of iodism.
4. Diarrhea.
5. Hyperthyroidism.
6. Vomit.
7. Tachycardia.
8. Hypothyroidism.
9. Hyperkalemia.
10. Angioedema.
11. Allergy symptoms.
12. Quincke's edema.
13. Dyspepsia.
14. Increased sweating and salivation.
15. Discomfort in the epigastric region.
16. Gastralgia.

[ 19 ]

Overdose

When administered orally, an overdose of the drug is possible, which is expressed by the following symptoms:

1. Change in the color of the oral mucosa to a brown tint.
2. Runny nose.
3. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine.
4. Bronchitis.
5. Swelling of the vocal cords.
6. Collapse.
7. Problems with urine excretion, up to and including anuria.
8. Bleeding from the urinary tract.

[ 24 ], [ 25 ], [ 26 ], [ 27 ], [ 28 ]

Interactions with other drugs

Taking two or more antithyroid drugs enhances each other's antithyroid properties.
Combined use with ACE inhibitors provokes progression of hyperkalemia.
With large doses of the drug administered during treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics, there is a high probability of heart rhythm disturbance and development of hyperkalemia.
Combined use with a thyroid-stimulating hormone drug leads to increased accumulation of iodine in the thyroid tissue. Similar work of potassium iodide and drugs based on potassium thiocyanate and potassium perchlorate, on the contrary, reduces the accumulation of iodine.
When treating with potassium iodide and lithium preparations, there is a high risk of hypothyroidism.

[ 29 ]

Storage conditions

Storage conditions for the drug Potassium iodide are simple but mandatory:

1. The storage area must be dry and protected from direct sunlight.
2. The room temperature should not exceed +25 degrees above zero.
3. The medicine must be stored in places that are inaccessible to teenagers and small children.
4. After opening the glass packaging or plastic bottle (release form - eye drops or solution), the medicine may be used for no longer than one month.

[ 30 ], [ 31 ]

Shelf life

The shelf life of Metabolic Potassium Iodide is three years (36 months).

[ 32 ], [ 33 ], [ 34 ], [ 35 ]