Pronunciation: poe-TASS-ee-uhm EYE-oh-dide
Generic Name: Potassium Iodide
Brand Name: Examples include Iosat and ThyroSafe
Take ThyroSafe only as recommended. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take ThyroSafe more often than recommended. Taking too much of ThyroSafe may increase the risk of side effects. Do NOT take ThyroSafe if you are allergic to iodine.
ThyroSafe is used for:
Protecting the thyroid gland from the toxic effects of radioactive iodine. ThyroSafe should only be used in a nuclear radiation emergency.
ThyroSafe is a thyroid blocking agent. It works by blocking or reducing the chances that radioactive iodine, which may be breathed in or swallowed during a nuclear emergency, will enter the thyroid gland and cause damage.
Do NOT use ThyroSafe if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in ThyroSafe or to iodine
- you have high blood levels of urea or other nitrogenous substances (azotemia), certain skin or blood vessel problems (dermatitis herpetiformis, hypocomplementemic vasculitis), decreased urination (oliguria), or high blood potassium levels
- you have abnormal growths on the thyroid gland (nodular thyroid disease) and you have heart disease
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using ThyroSafe:
Some medical conditions may interact with ThyroSafe. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems
- if you have a history of thyroid problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with ThyroSafe. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Lithium because the risk of hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) may be increased
- Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), or potassium supplements because the risk of serious side effects, including high blood potassium and irregular heartbeat, may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if ThyroSafe may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use ThyroSafe:
Use ThyroSafe as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with ThyroSafe. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take ThyroSafe by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Do NOT remove the tablets from the foil package until you are ready to take ThyroSafe.
- Swallow ThyroSafe whole. If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, it may be crushed and mixed with liquid.
- To prepare a liquid mixture with ThyroSafe: Place 1 tablet into a small bowl and grind it into a fine powder using the back of a metal spoon against the inside of the bowl. Add 4 teaspoonfuls (20 mL) of water to the crushed powder and mix until the powder is dissolved. Take the mixture and mix it with 4 teaspoonfuls (20 mL) of low-fat white or chocolate milk, orange juice, flat soda, raspberry syrup, or infant formula. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about how to prepare the liquid mixture.
- This mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Discard any unused portion.
- Take the exact recommended dose. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- If you are instructed to take more than 1 dose of ThyroSafe, do NOT take it sooner than 24 hours after the last dose of ThyroSafe. Do NOT take more than 1 dose per day.
- If you miss a dose of ThyroSafe, take it as soon as possible. If you are instructed to take more than 1 dose of ThyroSafe and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use ThyroSafe.
Important safety information:
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, or take ThyroSafe more often or longer than recommended. Taking too much of ThyroSafe may increase the risk of serious side effects.
- Do not use a salt substitute or a potassium supplement without checking with your doctor.
- Stop taking ThyroSafe and contact your health care provider if any of the following signs of iodine poisoning occur: burning of the mouth or throat, severe headache, metallic taste in the mouth, soreness of the teeth and gums, irritation of the eyes with swelling of the eyelids, or increased salivation.
- Caution is advised when using ThyroSafe in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: ThyroSafe may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking ThyroSafe while you are pregnant. ThyroSafe is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take ThyroSafe, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of ThyroSafe:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; mild fever; mild headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the feet, hands, mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; wheezing or shortness of breath); chest pain; confusion; fever with joint pain; irregular heartbeat; metallic taste in the mouth; mouth sores; numbness or tingling of the hands or feet; swollen glands in the mouth (salivary glands).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: ThyroSafe side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include burning of the mouth or throat; chest pain; increased salivation; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; severe headache; soreness of the teeth or gums; swelling.
Proper storage of ThyroSafe:
Store ThyroSafe at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do NOT open the foil package until you are ready to use ThyroSafe. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep ThyroSafe out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about ThyroSafe, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- ThyroSafe is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about ThyroSafe. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More ThyroSafe resources
- ThyroSafe Side Effects (in more detail)
- ThyroSafe Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- ThyroSafe Drug Interactions
- ThyroSafe Support Group
- 1 Review for ThyroSafe - Add your own review/rating
Compare ThyroSafe with other medications
- Cough
- Cutaneous Sporotrichosis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Radiation Emergency
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