SSKI (Oral)

Potassium iodide is used to treat an overactive thyroid and to protect the thyroid gland from radiation caused by inhaled or swallowed radioactive iodine. It may be taken before and after using medicine that contains radioactive iodine or after accidental exposure to radioactive iodine (for example, from nuclear power plant accidents that released radioactivity into the environment). It may also be used for other issues as decided by your doctor.

Potassium iodide is taken by mouth. It can be taken as an oral solution, syrup, uncoated tablet, or enteric-coated delayed-release tablet. However, the delayed-release tablet form may cause serious side effects, and its use is generally not recommended.

Some brands of the oral solution are available without a prescription.

Your doctor should check how you are doing at regular visits to ensure that this medicine does not cause side effects.

For patients on a low-potassium diet:

• This medicine contains potassium. Talk to your health care professional before taking this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, it is important to consider the risks and benefits. This decision is made together with your doctor. For this medicine, the following points should be considered:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Potassium iodide may cause skin rash and thyroid issues in infants.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear if they work the same way they do in younger adults. While there is no specific information comparing the use of potassium iodide in older people to that in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in older people than in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies to determine the risk to infants when this medication is used during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When using this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are selected based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best choice for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Acenocoumarol
• Anisindione
• Dicumarol
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken during or around meals, or with certain types of food, due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• High blood levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) or
• Myotonia congenita or
• Tuberculosis—Potassium iodide may worsen these conditions

• Kidney disease—May increase potassium levels in the blood

• Overactive thyroid (unless you are taking this medicine for this condition)—Long-term use of potassium iodide may harm the thyroid gland

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Hives
• Joint pain
• Swelling of arms, face, legs, lips, tongue, and/or throat
• Swelling of lymph glands

With long-term use

• Burning of mouth or throat
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Increased watering of mouth
• Irregular heartbeat
• Metallic taste
• Numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet
• Soreness of teeth and gums
• Sores on skin
• Symptoms of head cold
• Unusual tiredness
• Weakness or heaviness of legs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Pima
• SSKI
• ThyroShield

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antithyroid Agent

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 ½ 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 this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that 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 using the medicine.

• 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

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.