One of the most important trace elements in the body of every person is iodine. It is needed, first of all, for the normal activity of the thyroid gland, which regulates the work of all organs and systems. Iodine is present in a small number of products, so for many modern people such a problem as its deficiency is not alien. The easiest way to compensate for the lack of this microelement is with the help of special preparations. One such remedy is potassium iodide tablets. By the way, too fast fatigue and a constant feeling of fatigue may well be provoked by iodine deficiency. So it must be replenished.
"Potassium iodide" is a drug with an antiseptic effect, which is used to normalize the amount of the corresponding trace element in the body. The drug is often used to prevent pathologies caused by radiation, with thyroid defects, as well as in the treatment of syphilis.
Potassium iodide - what is it?
This trace element resembles an odorless crystalline powder. Potassium iodide with easedissolves in alcohol, water and liquid glycerin.
Pills based on it can compensate for iodine deficiency, restore the production of thyroid hormones. And when exposed to radiation, the medicine helps create a kind of protection in the body.
"Potassium iodide" is deservedly considered an excellent alternative to expensive medicines.
Composition and release form
The main active ingredient of the drug is potassium iodide. There are several types of medicines that differ in the dosage of this ingredient: Potassium Iodide tablets 200, 125, 100 and 40 mg. The type of remedy is selected taking into account the severity of the disease, the characteristics of its course and the severity of symptoms.
In addition to the main component, the composition of the tablets "Potassium Iodide" includes the following ingredients:
- lactose;
- cellulose;
- aerosil;
- magnesium stearate;
- talc;
- magnesium carbonate.
Product properties
The drug has an antiseptic effect, and also has a mucolytic, expectorant, antifungal and resolving effect. Derivatives of the drug are excreted through the kidneys, as well as salivary, sweat, mucous and bronchial glands. Iodine ions enter the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and, under the influence of certain enzymes, are converted into potassium nitrate.
"Potassium iodide" has a very important property - it prevents the accumulation of harmful radioactiveelements and protects the body from radiation. Under the influence of the drug, the production of thyroid hormones slows down. Standing out through the bronchial mucosa, the drug additionally helps to thin the sputum.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, tablets "Potassium iodide" should be used for inflammatory pathologies of the salivary glands and xerostomia. Also, the drug can be used as a prophylaxis for radioactive damage to the thyroid gland. Among other things, the effectiveness of potassium iodide tablets in erythema nodosum has been proven. In addition, the drug can be recommended for such diseases:
- treatment and prevention of endemic goiter;
- thyrotoxic crisis;
- tertiary syphilis;
- prevention and treatment of goiter and its relapses;
- fungal pathologies of the lungs;
- bronchial asthma;
- cutaneous-lymphatic sporotrichosis.
Instructions for the use of tablets "Potassium Iodide"
Medicine should be taken after meals. In order to avoid irritation of the digestive tract, it is advisable to drink the recommended dosage with sweet tea, plain water, juice, jelly or milk in large quantities.
If the drug is taken to prevent pathologies caused by radiation, then the course can last as long as there is a danger.
For convenience, a tablet can becrush, grind it to a state of powder. By the way, in this form it is much easier to give it to a child.
For prevention, it is best to take Potassium Iodide 125 mg tablets - this dosage is considered optimal.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor. Sometimes the drug needs to be taken throughout life.
For hyperthyroidism, 200mg tablets are recommended for 10 days before surgery.
For the treatment of goiter, adult patients are prescribed 200-600 mcg of the drug. If relapses occur, 100-200 micrograms of medication per day is prescribed.
Notes
Significant excess of the recommended dosage can lead to the appearance of goiter or hypothyroidism in a small child or fetus. The drug can cross the placenta and be excreted in breast milk.
Due to the use of iodine, people suffering from kidney failure may develop hyperkalemia. Absorption of the drug by the thyroid gland provokes the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone - a significant component of metabolism.
Features of use
The method of using "Potassium Iodide" and the optimal dosage during the period of bearing a child is determined by the doctor, since iodine itself is able to cross the placenta. It is most often recommended to start using appropriate supplements with this micronutrient a few months before conception.
The standard dose for pregnant women is 200-250mcg. It is strictly forbidden to take potassium iodide tablets during the period of bearing a child, if a woman has an individual intolerance to this microelement, diffuse toxic goiter, hemorrhagic diathesis or pulmonary tuberculosis.
For children, the drug can only be recommended by a doctor. The daily dose of "Potassium Iodide" for newborn babies, children and adolescents is standardly 100-200 mcg. Infants are given medication with food.
The course of treatment for goiter in infants is 2-4 weeks.
To prevent iodine deficiency and endemic goiter, children over 12 years of age are advised to take 100-200 micrograms of Potassium Iodide. Young children need to drink 50-100 micrograms of the drug daily.
Contraindications
Pills "Potassium iodide" should not be taken by people with hypersensitivity to iodine. In addition, patients suffering from toxic adenoma, as well as severe and latent hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, should not use not only this drug, but also its analogues. Another contraindication to the use of Potassium Iodide is treatment with radioactive iodine.
Doctors do not prescribe a daily dose of the drug, more than 1 mg, to women during pregnancy and lactation. It should also be borne in mind that potassium ions negatively affect the heart, so the drug is not allowed to be used for defects in this organ. Other contraindications include:
- acne;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- thyroid cancer;
- diseaseDühring;
- furunculosis;
- diffuse goiter;
- dermatitis herpetiformis;
- kidney defects.
Side effects
Tablets "Potassium iodide" can provoke various deviations from the senses (anxiety and excessive anxiety), the nervous system (migraine), the digestive tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspeptic disorders). It is also possible the risk of allergic manifestations in the form of angioedema, hemorrhage of the skin and mucous membranes, urticaria.
Besides this, other negative symptoms are possible after long-term use of Potassium Iodide:
- acne;
- iodine toxicity;
- eosinophilia;
- puffiness of the eyelids;
- hyperkalemia;
- hypothyroidism;
- iodism;
- painful gums and teeth;
- hyperthyroidism;
- reddening of the conjunctiva;
- rhinitis;
- mumps;
- dermatitis;
- fever;
- increased salivation;
- arthralgia.
Drug Interactions
Exceeding the normal level of potassium in the bloodstream can be observed with the parallel use of "Potassium iodide" and potassium-sparing diuretics, that is, diuretics. When taking drugs with lithium, hypothyroidism and goiter may develop.
In addition, "potassium iodide" is able to reduceeffectiveness of antithyroid drugs. Absorption of trace elements by the thyroid gland slows down several times with the use of potassium perchlorate.
Overdose
It is worth noting that if the prescribed dosage is significantly exceeded, even a lethal outcome is not ruled out. That is why it is so important to strictly adhere to the instructions for use, which is attached to the medicine. Signs of an acute overdose include:
- acquisition of a brown tint by the oral mucosa;
- rhinitis;
- bronchitis;
- anuria;
- collapse;
- swelling of the vocal cords;
- abnormal bleeding from the urinary tract;
- gastroenteritis.
What to do in case of an overdose? First of all, it is necessary to wash the stomach with a solution of sodium thiosulfate and starch. Then it is recommended to use flour porridge and a thick decoction of cereals. In conclusion, symptomatic and supportive therapy should be followed.
Cost and storage conditions
Potassium iodide tablets are sold without a special prescription. Although in reality this does not mean at all that there is no need to consult a specialist.
Store the medicine at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees. The place must be dry and out of reach of small children. The shelf life of the tablets is 3 years.
This drug belongs to the category of inexpensive, affordable medicines. On average, its cost ranges from 60-150 rubles.
Analogues
If for some reason you cannot use Potassium Iodide tablets, you should choose an identical drug with similar properties. True, before this it is advisable to consult a doctor. Analogues of this medicine include:
- "Microiodide".
- "Yodocomb".
- "Polyoxidine".
- "Yodbalance".
- "Iodine vitrum".
- "Yodostine".
- "Iodomarin".
Reviews about tablets "Potassium iodide"
On the net you can find various responses about this drug. But still, most users claim that the tablets are very effective in coping with the problem of trace element deficiency and quickly restore the disturbed balance. An important advantage of the drug is its cost - the drug is available to people with different levels of income. Another advantage is the possibility of using the product for the treatment of young children and pregnant women.
People who use it as a preventive measure speak positively about this drug. In their opinion, the pills do an excellent job of preventing the development of all kinds of thyroid pathologies.
As for the shortcomings, according to reviews, the main among them is the frequent occurrence of all sorts of side effects. For example, many patients complain of headaches and nausea. Although in fact, such a problem usually occurs due to exceeding the recommendeddosage.
