Potassium iodide

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# Overview
Potassium iodide is an expectorant that is FDA approved for the treatment of of chronic pulmonary diseases where tenacious mucus complicates the problem, including bronchial asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema..   Common adverse reactions include stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, skin rash, and salivary gland swelling or tenderness, gastrointestinal bleeding, confusion.

# Adult Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

# Indications
For use as an expectorant in the symptomatic treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases where tenacious mucus complicates the problem, including bronchial asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.

# Dosage
- Adults - 0.3 ml (300 mg) or 0.6 ml (600 mg) diluted in one glassful of water, fruit juice or milk 3 to 4 times daily. To minimize gastric irritation, take with food or milk.
- This medication should be used no longer than necessary to produce the desired effect.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Potassium iodide in adult patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use

# Indications and Dosage
- Induction of involution of thyroid: 60-250 mg orally 3 times a day for 10 days before surgery.

# Pediatric Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric) in the drug label.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Potassium iodide in pediatric patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use

# Indications and Dosage
- Induction of involution of thyroid

# Contraindications
- Contraindicated in patients with a known sensitivity to iodides.

# Warnings
- Potassium iodide can cause fetal harm, abnormal thyroid function, and goiter when administered to a pregnant woman. Because of the possible development of fetal goiter, if the drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant during therapy, apprise the patient of the potential hazard.

# Adverse Reactions

## Clinical Trials Experience
- The most frequent adverse reactions to potassium iodide are stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, skin rash, and salivary gland swelling or tenderness. Less frequent adverse reactions include gastrointestinal bleeding, confusion, irregular heartbeat, numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet, unusual tiredness, weakness or heaviness of legs, fever, and swelling of neck or throat. Thyroid adenoma, goiter, and myxedema are possible side effects.
- Iodism or chronic iodine poisoning may occur during prolonged treatment or with the use of high doses. The symptoms of iodism include burning of mouth or throat, severe headache, metallic taste, soreness of teeth and gums, symptoms of head cold, irritation of the eyes with swelling of the eyelids, unusual increase in salivation, acneform skin lesions in the seborrheic areas, and rarely, severe skin eruptions. If symptoms of iodism appear, the drug should be withdrawn and the patient given appropriate supportive therapy.
- Hypersensitivity to iodides may occur and may be manifested by angioedema, cutaneous and mucosal hemorrhage, and signs and symptoms resembling serum sickness, such as fever, arthralgia, lymph node enlargement, and eosinophilia.

## Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Postmarketing Experience in the drug label.

# Drug Interactions
- Concurrent use with lithium or antithyroid drugs may potentiate the hypothyroid and goitrogenic effects of these medications. Concurrent use with potassium-containing medications, potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) may result in hyperkalemia and cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

# Use in Specific Populations

### Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA): 
Category D
Pregnancy Category (AUS): 
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Potassium iodide in women who are pregnant.

### Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Potassium iodide during labor and delivery.

### Nursing Mothers
Potassium iodide is excreted in breast milk. Use by nursing mothers may cause skin rash and thyroid suppression in the infant.

### Pediatric Use
- Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

### Geriatic Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide in geriatric settings.

### Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide with respect to specific gender populations.

### Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide with respect to specific racial populations.

### Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide in patients with renal impairment.

### Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide in patients with hepatic impairment.

### Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Potassium iodide in women of reproductive potentials and males.

### Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Potassium iodide in patients who are immunocompromised.

### Others

# Administration and Monitoring

### Administration
Oral

### Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Monitoring in the drug label.

# IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Potassium iodide and IV administrations.

# Overdosage
- Acute toxicity from potassium iodide is relatively rare. An occasional individual may show marked sensitivity and the onset of acute poisoning can occur immediately or hours after administration. Angioedema, laryngeal edema and cutaneous hemorrhages may occur.
- Iodism or chronic iodine poisoning may occur during prolonged treatment or with the use of high doses. Symptoms of iodism typically disappear soon after discontinuation of the drug. Abundant fluid and salt intake aids in iodide elimination.

# Pharmacology

## Mechanism of Action
- Potassium iodide is thought to act as an expectorant by increasing respiratory tract secretions and thereby decreasing the viscosity of mucus.

## Structure
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Structure in the drug label.

## Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Pharmacodynamics in the drug label.

## Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.

## Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.

# Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Clinical Studies in the drug label.

# How Supplied
- SSKI (Potassium Iodide Oral Solution, USP) is supplied in 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) bottles (NDC 0245-0003-31) with a calibrated dropper marked to deliver 0.3 ml (300 mg) and 0.6 ml (600 mg); and 8 fluid ounce (237 ml) bottles (NDC 0245-0003-08). Inactive ingredient: Sodium thiosulfate as a preservative.
Dispense in tight, light-resistant containers with child-resistant closures.
Notice: When exposed to cold temperatures, crystallization may occur, but on warming and shaking, the crystals will redissolve. If the solution turns brownish-yellow in color, it should be discarded.

## Storage
- Store at controlled room temperature, 15-30C (59-86F). Keep tightly closed and protected from light.

# Images

## Drug Images

## Package and Label Display Panel

# Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Patient Counseling Information in the drug label.

# Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Potassium iodide interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

# Brand Names
SSKI

# Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Potassium iodide Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

# Drug Shortage Status
Drug Shortage

# Price