Iosat

Potassium iodide is the potassium salt form of iodide, a naturally occurring substance.

Potassium iodide can be used as an expectorant to thin mucus and loosen congestion in your chest and throat.

Potassium iodide is used in people with chronic breathing problems that can be complicated by thick mucus in the respiratory tract, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

Potassium iodide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you have a history of previous allergic reaction to iodide, iodine, or other medicines.

To make sure potassium iodide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;

• high levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) in your blood;

• Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);

• tuberculosis;

• a thyroid disorder;

• heart disease; or

• a genetic muscle disorder.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use potassium iodide if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Potassium iodide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before using a salt substitute.
• Take Iosat only as you have been told. Do not take more than you were told to use or more often then you were told to take it. Taking too much of this medicine may raise the risk of side effects. Do not take Iosat if you are allergic to iodine.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
• Have your baby's thyroid checked if you are using Iosat and breast-feeding.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Belly pain.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Applies to potassium iodide: oral solution, oral syrup

Along with its needed effects, potassium iodide (the active ingredient contained in Iosat) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

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

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

• Burning of mouth or throat
• confusion
• headache (severe)
• 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 of potassium iodide 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:

• Diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain

300 to 650 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.

Oral solution: 250 mg orally 3 times a day. Give for 10 to 14 days prior to thyroid surgery.
May be given as 0.25 mL of a 1 g/mL potassium iodine solution (SSKI) or as 4 mL of 325 mg/5 mL solution. Alternatively, 2 to 6 drops of a 10% potassium iodide/5% iodine solution may be given orally 3 times a day with food.

Oral solution: 250 mg orally 3 times a day. Give for 10 to 14 days prior to thyroid surgery.

Potassium iodide should be used cautiously in patients with renal dysfunction. Due to impaired renal filtering of electrolytes, an increase in serum potassium can occur in patients with renal impairment.