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 amount of products, so for many modern people, such a problem as its deficiency is not alien. It is easiest to fill in the deficiency of this microelement 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 triggered by iodine deficiency. So it is necessary to replenish it.
"Potassium iodide" - a drug with an antiseptic effect, which is used to normalize the amount of the corresponding trace element in the body. The medicine 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 is easily soluble in alcohol, water and liquid glycerin.
Tablets based on it are able to make up for iodine deficiency, restore the production of thyroid hormones. And when exposed to radiation, the medicine helps to create a kind of protection in the body.
"Potassium iodide" is deservedly considered an excellent alternative to expensive medicines.
Composition and form of release
The main active ingredient of the drug is potassium iodide. There are several types of medications that differ in the dosage of this ingredient: potassium iodide tablets 200, 125, 100 and 40 mg. A variety of funds is selected taking into account the severity of the disease, the features of its course and the severity of symptoms.
In addition to the main component, the composition of the potassium iodide tablets includes the following ingredients:
- lactose;
- cellulose;
- aerosil;
- magnesium stearate;
- talc;
- magnesium carbonate.
Drug properties
The medicine has an antiseptic effect, and also has a mucolytic, expectorant, antifungal and absorbable effect. Derivatives of the drug are excreted through the kidneys, as well as salivary, sweat, mucous membranes and bronchial glands. Iodine ions enter the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and, under the influence of certain enzymes, are converted to potassium nitrate.
"Potassium iodide" has a very important property - it prevents the accumulation of harmful radioactive elements 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 medicine additionally promotes liquefaction of sputum.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, potassium iodide tablets are advisable for use in inflammatory pathologies of the salivary glands and xerostomia. Also, the drug can be used as a prevention of radioactive damage to the thyroid gland. Among other things, the effectiveness of the potassium iodide tablets in erythema nodosum has been proven. In addition, the drug can be recommended for such diseases:
- therapy and prevention of endemic goiter;
- thyrotoxic crisis;
- tertiary period of syphilis;
- prevention and treatment of goiter and its relapses;
- fungal pathologies of the lungs;
- bronchial asthma;
- cutaneous lymphatic sporotrichosis.
Instructions for use of tablets "Potassium iodide"
Take the medicine after a meal. 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, the tablet can be crushed by grinding it to a powder. By the way, in this form it is much easier to give the child.
For prevention, it is best to take 125 mg potassium iodide tablets - this dosage is considered optimal.
The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor. Sometimes the drug must be taken throughout life.
With hyperthyroidism, tablets with a dosage of 200 mg are recommended to be drunk for 10 days before surgery.
For the treatment of goiter, adult patients are prescribed 200-600 mcg of the drug. If relapses appear, 100-200 mcg of the drug per day is prescribed.
Notes
A significant excess of the recommended dosage can lead to the appearance of goiter or hypothyroidism in a small child or fetus. The drug can pass through the placenta and excreted along with breast milk.
Due to the use of iodine in people suffering from kidney failure, hyperkalemia may develop. Thyroid absorption of the drug provokes the production of thyroid stimulating hormone - an important component of metabolism.
Features of use
The method of application of "Potassium iodide" and the optimal dosage during the period of gestation is determined by the doctor, since iodine itself can penetrate the placenta. Most often, it is recommended that you start using the appropriate supplements with this trace element a few months before conception.
The standard dose for pregnant women is 200-250 mcg. 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 be recommended only by a doctor. The daily dose of potassium iodide for newborn babies, children and adolescents is usually 100-200 mcg. Medication is given to infants along 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 old are advised to take 100-200 micrograms of "Potassium Iodide". Younger children need to drink 50-100 mcg of the drug daily.
Contraindications
Tablets "Potassium iodide" is prohibited for people with hypersensitivity to iodine. In addition, patients suffering from toxic adenoma, as well as severe and latent hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, can 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 is also worth considering that potassium ions negatively affect the heart, so the drug is not allowed to be used for defects of this organ. Other contraindications include:
- acne eruptions;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- thyroid cancer;
- Dühring's disease;
- furunculosis;
- diffuse goiter;
- herpetiform dermatitis;
- kidney defects.
Side effects
"Potassium iodide" tablets can provoke various deviations from the sensory organs (feeling anxiety and excessive anxiety), the nervous system (migraine), the digestive tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspeptic disorders). The risk of allergy manifestations in the form of angioedema, hemorrhage of the skin and mucous membranes, urticaria is also not excluded.
In addition, other negative symptoms are possible after prolonged use of "Potassium iodide":
- acne
- iodine toxicity;
- eosinophilia;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- hyperkalemia
- hypothyroidism;
- iodism;
- sore gums and teeth;
- hyperteriosis;
- conjunctival redness;
- rhinitis;
- mumps;
- dermatitis;
- fever;
- increased salivation;
- arthralgia.
Drug interaction
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. With the simultaneous administration of drugs with lithium, hypothyroidism and goiter may develop.
In addition, potassium iodide is able to reduce the effectiveness of antithyroid medications. Thyroid absorption of trace elements slows down several times during the use of potassium perchlorate.
Overdose
It is worth noting that with a significant excess of the prescribed dosage, even a fatal outcome is not excluded. That is why it is so important to strictly adhere to the instructions for use that are attached to the medicine. Signs of an acute form of an overdose include:
- the acquisition of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity of a brown tint;
- rhinitis;
- bronchitis;
- anuria
- collapse;
- swelling of the vocal cords;
- abnormal bleeding from the urinary canals;
- gastroenteritis.
What to do in case of overdose? First of all, it is necessary to rinse 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
Pills "Potassium iodide" are sold without a special prescription. Although in reality this does not mean that there is no need to consult a specialist.
Store the medicine at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees. The place must be dry and inaccessible to young 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.
Analogs
If for some reason you can’t use the "Potassium Iodide" tablets, you should choose an identical drug with similar properties. However, before this, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Analogs of this medication include:
- "Microiodide".
- Iodocomb.
- "Polyoxidine".
- "Iodine balance."
- "Iodine Vitrum."
- "Iodostin."
- "Iodomarin."
Reviews on the tablets "Potassium iodide"
On the web you can find various responses about this drug. But nevertheless, most users claim that the tablets very effectively cope with the problem of micronutrient deficiency and quickly restore the disturbed balance. An important advantage of the drug is its cost - the medicine is available to people with different levels of affluence. Another advantage is the possibility of using the product to treat young children and pregnant women.
People who use it as a preventative measure respond positively about this drug. In their opinion, the tablets 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 appearance of all kinds of side effects. For example, many patients complain of headaches and nausea. Although in fact, such a problem usually occurs due to exceeding the recommended dosage.