ThyroSafe

ThyroSafe is part of the drug classes:

• Antidotes

• Expectorants

• OTHER OPHTHALMOLOGICALS

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.

Potassium iodide is used to thin mucus and loosen congestion in people with chronic breathing problems that can be complicated by thick mucus in the respiratory tract.

Potassium iodide can cause thyroid problems, high potassium levels in your blood, or iodide poisoning. Call your doctor at once if you have swelling in your neck or throat, chest pain, irregular heart rate, muscle weakness, tingly feeling, pain or burning in your mouth, severe headache, or eye irritation.

Potassium iodide is usually taken 3 to 4 times per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Measure liquid medicine with the special dose-measuring dropper provided with your medication. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Mix this medicine with a full glass of milk, water, or fruit juice.

Take with food or milk to avoid an upset stomach.

Use this medicine for only as long as needed to get the best results. Your doctor can determine how long to treat you with potassium iodide.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using potassium iodide.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Avoid storing the medicine in very cold temperatures. If the medicine changes color to brown or yellow, throw it away and call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, severe tingling; fever, swollen glands, joint pain; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid);

• chest pain, rapid or irregular heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable;

• severe headache, metallic taste in your mouth;

• puffy eyelids, irritated eyes, acne or severe skin rash;

• pain or burning in your mouth or throat, increased salivation;

• fever, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat);

• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Common side effects may include:

• swollen glands in your lower jaw;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, or stomach pain;

• confusion, tired feeling, numbness;

• mild skin rash; or

• weakness or heavy feeling in your hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• It is used to prevent thyroid cancer from radiation.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take ThyroSafe only when told by public health officials.
• Take once a day until the chance of being exposed to radiation ends.
• You may make a liquid mixture using the tablet. Crush the tablet and mix it with water as told. It is then to be mixed with low fat white or chocolate milk, infant formula, orange juice, flat soda, or raspberry syrup. The mixture may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Trouble swallowing or speaking.
• Wheezing or coughing.
• Shortness of breath.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Chest pain.
• Fever and joint pain.
• Neck swelling.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Feeling confused.
• Very bad headache, metal taste, sore teeth and gums, burning of the mouth or throat, eye irritation, eyelid swelling, more spit, or skin irritation.

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take ThyroSafe or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to ThyroSafe (potassium iodide tablets). This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017