Potassium iodide

The metabolite, potassium iodide, produced by many pharmacological plants, is widely used in medicine for the treatment of many pathological conditions and diseases, the causal fathocrames of which are iodine and potassium deficiency in the human body.

[1]

Indications Potassium iodide

Indication for the use of the drug are:

1. Cataract.
2. Hyperthyroidism.
3. Nodular erythema.
4. Pre-treatment before surgery for thyrotoxicosis.
5. The turbidity of the cornea's glass body, the hemorrhage into the shell of the eye.
6. Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.
7. Skin and lymphatic sporotrichosis.
8. Bronchial asthma.
9. Candidiasis lesions of the cornea and the outer shell of the eyeball.
10. Auxiliary drug in the treatment of syphilis.

[2], [3], [4]

Release form

Tablets (without a protective coating or with a protective coating) are available in a dosage of 100 and 200 μg of potassium iodide active ingredient (KI). 

Packing is the capacity of the yellow glass.
Another form of release - 3% - solution, produced as eye drops. Packaging is a 10 ml polyethylene bottle with a dispenser cap. A glass bottle with a volume of 200 ml - 0.25%, 10% and 20% content of potassium iodide active ingredient.
Excipients: sodium thiosulfate, purified water, chlorhexidine diacetate, sodium chloride.

[5], [6], [7],

Pharmacodynamics

Upon admission to the body, the drug shows the pharmacodynamics inherent in its active ingredient, potassium iodide. By replenishing iodine deficiency, the drug exhibits an antithyroid effect, normalizing the synthesis of hormones of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), performed by the thyroid gland cells.
Potassium iodide exerts a mucolytic (expectorant) and resolving action, allowing efficiently, without changing the volume, to dilute and actively excrete the mucus accumulated in the bronchial tubes.

Potassium iodide possesses resorptive and antisclerotic characteristics, which allows using it in the treatment of a number of ophthalmic diseases. Effective resorption of infiltrates of syphilitic keratitis and hemophthalmia.
Potassium iodide effectively suppresses the growth and multiplication of invading fungal forms. It has proteolytic characteristics, activates metabolic processes. Influencing the exchange of lipids and proteins, it helps to increase the level of lipoproteins in plasma.
Thanks to the radioprotective action of potassium, iodide helps to protect the thyroid from the accumulation of radioactive iodine in it. It acts as a protective barrier against the negative effects of radiation.
Iodine ions contribute to reducing the viscosity of blood, allowing "slow down" the process of aging and development of atherosclerosis.

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

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of the preparation has not been thoroughly studied. It is known only that potassium iodide is not metabolized in the body of the patient and is excreted by kidney kidney along with urine.

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

Dosing and administration

With oral intake to avoid irritation of the mucosa, it is advisable to drink the medicine with sweetened tea or milk and take it after eating.
In the case of candidal infection of the respiratory system, the drug is prescribed on a tablespoon four times a day in the form of 10-20% solution.
With diffuse goiter, the starting dosage is 40 mg three times a day. Gradually the amount of the drug increases and reaches 125 mg 1 - 2 times a day. The course of therapy - 20 days. If necessary, after a ten-day break, treatment can be repeated.
When the pathological effect of radioactive damage to the thyroid gland is prevented, the drug is given 125 mg once a day for 5-10 days.

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

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

Use Potassium iodide during pregnancy

During pregnancy and lactation, the drug is approved for use, but is taken by a woman under strict monitoring by a doctor. This is due to the risk of oppression of the thyroid gland in a woman and an increase in her size parameters in the fetus. Breastfeeding is likely to develop allergy symptoms.

Contraindications

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

1. Pulmonary tuberculosis.
2. Hyperfunction thyroid (thyrotoxicosis).
3. Pyoderma.
4. Hemorrhagic diathesis.
5. Nephritis.
6. Hypersensitivity to iodine.
7. Nephrosis.
8. Acne.
9. Furunculosis.
10. Allergic reactions in the anamnesis
11. Toxic adenoma thyroid.
12. Pregnancy.
13. Cancer is thyroid.
14. Herpetiform dermatitis of Dühring.

With caution the drug is prescribed for violations of the functional state of the kidneys. Requires constant monitoring of potassium levels in the blood.

[18]

Side effects Potassium iodide

Due to the use of the drug may manifest side effects of the drug, expressed by symptoms:

1. Coryza.
2. Nausea.
3. Signs of iodism.
4. Diarrhea.
5. Hyperthyroidism.
6. Vomiting.
7. Tachycardia.
8. Hypothyroidism.
9. Hyperkalemia.
10. Angioedema.
11. Symptoms of allergies.
12. Edema of the Quincke.
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 may occur, which is manifested by the manifestation of such symptoms:

1. Change the color of the oral mucosa to a brown tint.
2. Coryza.
3. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa and small intestine.
4. Bronchitis.
5. Edema of the vocal cords.
6. Collapse.
7. Problems with the separation of urine, up to anuria.
8. Bleeding from the urinary ducts.

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

Interactions with other drugs

The intake of two or more antithyroid drugs increases the antithyroid characteristics of each other.
Joint reception with ACE inhibitors provokes the progression of hyperkalemia.
At high doses of the drug, administered against the background of treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics, there is a high probability of cardiac rhythm disturbance and the development of hyperkalemia.
Joint reception with a thyroid-stimulating hormonal preparation leads to an increased accumulation of iodine in the tissues of the thyroid gland. A similar work of potassium iodide and preparations based on potassium thiocyanate and potassium perchlorate, on the contrary, reduces the accumulation of iodine.
When treating potassium iodide and lithium preparations - a high risk of hypothyroidism.

[29]

Storage conditions

The storage conditions for the potassium iodide drug are simple, but are mandatory:

1. Place the contents should be dry and protected from direct sunlight.
2. The temperature in the room should not exceed + 25 degrees above zero.
3. Keep the medicine in places that are not available for adolescents and young children.
4. After opening a glass package or plastic vial (the form of release is an eye drop or a solution), the drug may be used no longer than one month.

[30], [31]

Shelf life

Shelf life of the metabolite Potassium iodide is three years (36 months).

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