In the context of the war in Ukraine, Romanians started receiving potassium iodide pills two years ago. Preventive, in case of a nuclear accident. The medicine is distributed through community pharmacies and costs around 20 lei. Here’s what potassium iodide is, how it’s given, and who should take this medicine.
People over the age of 40 should not take potassium iodide. Photo source: archive
Potassium iodide is a stable (non-radioactive) iodine salt. Iodine is important for the production of thyroid hormones, the main source of iodine being represented by dietary iodine. Iodine tablets are intended for use by the population near a nuclear reactor, in the event of radioactive iodine being released into the air following a nuclear accident. Potassium iodide is used in the prophylactic treatment of the effects of radioactive iodine on the thyroid gland.
Potassium iodide. When and how to administer
During a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine is released into the air and contaminates soil, surfaces and water. Thus, it enters the human body internally, through the respiratory and digestive system, and externally, when we touch contaminated surfaces. In the case of internal contamination, the thyroid gland absorbs radioactive iodine, at which point we can face various thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. The risk is higher in children and adolescents, who are more sensitive to radiation. After the age of 40, the risk decreases significantly, therefore it is not recommended to take potassium iodide tablets in this age group.
In the case of a nuclear event, potassium iodide should be administered before or immediately after exposure to radioactive iodine. As time passes, the drug’s effectiveness decreases, according to the New York City Department of Health.
It is recommended that adults and children over 12 years of age take 2 tablets (equivalent to 100 mg iodine), children aged 3-12 years, 1 tablet (equivalent to 50 mg iodine), those between 1 month -3 years, half a tablet (equivalent to 25 mg of iodine), and those up to one month should take a quarter of a tablet. (equivalent to 12.5 mg iodine)
The pills can be chewed or swallowed. For children under 6, the dose can be crushed and mixed with milk, fruit juice, honey or yogurt. For newborns, the dose can be crushed and dissolved in water, fruit juice or milk. Newborns will not be given more than one dose.
In case of continued exposure to radioactive radiation, a new dose could be taken within two days.
Potassium iodide. Adverse effects
- Rash on the skin;
- Hypersensitivity reactions: swelling of the salivary glands, headache, wheezing or coughing, and upset stomach;
- Iodine-induced autoimmune disorders (Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease), thyroid nodular goiter, and iodine-induced hypothyroidism or temporary hyperthyroidism;
- Overactive thyroid gland (characterized by weight loss, increased appetite, heat intolerance, thyroid inflammation.
- Enlarged thyroid gland;
- Depression, nervousness, impotence and insomnia.
Who should not take potassium iodide
People with certain medical conditions may have contraindications to taking potassium iodide. These include people allergic to potassium iodide, people suffering from an autoimmune disease called dermatitis herpetiformis van Dühring. Also, potassium iodide should be avoided if you have an overactive thyroid, which produces too much thyroid hormone, or if you suffer from a blood vessel condition known as hypocomplementemic vasculitis. .
If you take more potassium iodide than the recommended doses for your age, it does not increase the protective effect. Instead, iodine poisoning can occur, which has severe side effects such as respiratory and heart problems.
Romania bought 30 million tablets
The Ministry of Health began distributing to the population the medicine potassium iodide 65 mg tablets, for preventive purposes, through community pharmacies, in June 2022.At the level of the Ministry of Health, no procurement procedures were carried out for potassium iodide, these were carried out by the National Administration of State Reserves and Special Issues on the basis of a Government Decision approved in the section normative acts of a secret nature, and the initial number of tablets purchased by this institution is 30 million tablets. On 11.09.2024, there were 27,936,239 potassium iodide 65 mg tablets in the stock of the Public Health Directorates and the community pharmacies registered in the program, kept in the community pharmacies”stated the representatives of the institution.
Romania donated over one million tablets of potassium iodide to the Republic of Moldova.
