Potassium iodide

What is potassium iodide?

Potassium iodide (KI) is prepared by reacting iodine with a hot solution of potassium hydroxide. It is mainly used in the form of a saturated solution, 100 g of potassium iodide to 100 ml of water. This equates to approximately 50 mg/drop. The solution is usually added to water, fruit juice or milk before drinking.

Potassium iodide has been primarily used in the treatment and prevention of simple goitre, which is endemic in areas where the diet is deficient in iodides. Goitre results from low levels of thyroid hormone. Potassium iodide is usually given for this purpose as iodised salt. Other indications include treatment of hyperthyroidism, radiation protectant of the thyroid gland, pre-operative preparation of patients with Graves disease and the treatment of some dermatological conditions such as cutaneous lymphatic sporotrichosis and inflammatory dermatoses.

How does potassium iodide help dermatological diseases?

It is not clear how potassium iodide works in the treatment of dermatological conditions but it may be because of its effect on neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell, important in the immune system's fight against bacteria.

Potassium iodide appears to be particularly effective in conditions where neutrophils predominate in the early stages of the disease. Its activity against fungi is possibly because it kills the fungi directly or by enhancement of the body's immunological and non-immunological defence mechanisms.

The effectiveness of potassium iodide in the treatment of dermatological diseases has been shown in a number of studies.

For many diseases, newer more modern treatments are now available. However, because of its effectiveness and low cost, potassium iodide is still sometimes the drug of choice. If not, it is often used as a second line drug when other treatments are found to be ineffective.

Precautions when using potassium iodide

Before using potassium iodide the following should be considered.

Medical history – inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Thyroid disease
• Kidney disease
• Tuberculosis
• Hyperkalaemia (high blood levels of potassium)

Medication history – inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
• Antithyroid agents
• Lithium

Pregnancy — taking potassium during pregnancy may cause thyroid problems or goitre in the newborn infant.

Breastfeeding — potassium iodide crosses into breast milk and may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in nursing babies.

What are the side effects of potassium iodide?

Side effects are rare when potassium iodide is used in short courses and at low doses. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting. These acute side effects often go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine or can be lessened by avoiding rapid dosage increases. Other, less common side effects include urticaria and angioedema, which can affect the arms, face, legs, lips, tongue, throat and lymph glands.

Pustules due to potassium iodide 

With prolonged use, patients may experience symptoms of iodism or potassium toxicity.

Symptoms of iodism include:

• Burning of mouth or throat
• Metallic taste
• Increased watering of mouth
• Sore teeth and gums
• Severe headache

Symptoms of potassium toxicity include:

• Confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet

Approved datasheets are the official source of information for medicines, including approved uses, doses, and safety information. Check the individual datasheet in your country for information about medicines.

We suggest you refer to your national drug approval agency such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), UK Medicines and Healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) / emc, and NZ Medsafe, or a national or state-approved formulary eg, the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) and New Zealand Formulary for Children (NZFC) and the British National Formulary (BNF) and British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).