Potassium iodide (potassium iodide)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed by public officials if a nuclear radiation emergency happens.

Dose: Adults over 18 years 2 tablets (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh at least 150 pounds 2 tablets (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh less than 150 pounds 1 tablet (whole or crushed) or 8 teaspoons every day (65 mg) Children over 3 years to 12 years 1 tablet (whole or crushed) or 8 teaspoons every day (65 mg) Children over 1 month to 3 years 4 teaspoons every day (32.5 mg) Babies at birth to 1 month 2 teaspoons every day (16.25 mg) Tablets can be crushed and mixed in many liquids. To take the tablet in liquid solution, use dosing directions under Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture . Take KI every day (every 24 hours) as directed by public officials. Do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. More will not help you. Too much medicine may increase the chances of side effects. Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture: Put one 65 mg KI tablet into a small bowl and grind it into a fine powder using the back of a metal teaspoon against the inside of the bowl. The powder should not have any large pieces. Add 4 teaspoons of water to the crushed KI powder in the bowl and mix until the KI powder is dissolved in the water. Take the KI water mixture solution made in step 2 and mix it with 4 teaspoons of low fat white or chocolate milk, orange juice, flat soda, raspberry syrup, or infant formula. The KI liquid mixture will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. It is recommended that the KI liquid mixtures be prepared weekly. Throw away unused portions. The amount of KI (65 mg tablet) in the drink when mixed as described above is 8.125 mg per teaspoon. The number of teaspoons of the drink to give your child depends on your child’s age as described in the following table: Child’s Age Give your child this amount in teaspoons Over 12 to 18 years old who weigh less than 150 pounds 8 teaspoons will give you a 65 mg dose Over 3 to 12 years old 8 teaspoons will give you a 65 mg dose Over 1 month to 3 years old 4 teaspoons will give you a 32.5 mg dose Birth to 1 month 2 teaspoons will give you a 16.25 mg dose Note: This is the amount to give your child for one single dose in teaspoons (not tablespoons). You should give your child one dose each day as recommended by the public officials. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or babies under 1 month of age: Take as directed above and call a doctor as soon as possible. Repeat dosing should be avoided. It is recommended that thyroid function be checked in babies less than 1 month of age that take KI. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also be checked by a doctor if repeat dosing is necessary. Although these precautions should be taken, the benefits of short-term use of KI to block uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland far exceed its chances of side effects. Patients with thyroid disease: If you have both a nodular thyroid condition such as multinodular goiter with heart disease, you should not take KI. Patients with other thyroid conditions may take KI as directed above, but call a doctor if you need to take KI for more than a few days.

WARNING People who are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease should not take KI. Keep out of the reach of children. In case of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat), call 911 or get medical care right away. In case of overdose, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away.