Proper Use of This Medicine

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

For patients taking this medicine for radiation exposure :

• Take this medicine only when directed to do so by state or local public health authorities.
• Take this medicine 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 medicine will not protect you better and may result in a greater chance of side effects.

For patients taking the oral solution form of this medicine:

• This medicine 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 medicine.
• 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 patients taking the uncoated tablet form of this medicine:

• 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 medicine.

Dosing—The dose of potassium iodide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of potassium iodide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of solution or syrup or the number of tablets you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine 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 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 medicine, 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 medicine:

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• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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