Should I take potassium iodide?
CDC Radiation Emergencies | Dirty BombsPotassium iodide, also called KI, only protects a person's thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine. KI will not protect a person from other radioactive materials or protect other parts of the body from exposure to radiation. Since there is no way to know at the time of the explosion whether radioactive iodine was used in the explosive device, taking KI would probably not be beneficial. Also, KI can be dangerous to some people.
Related QuestionsShould I Take Potassium Iodide During a Radiation Emergency?
CDC Radiation Emergencies | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs...Potassium iodide (KI) should only be taken in a radiation emergency that involves the release of radioactive iodine, such as an accident at a nuclear power plant or the explosion of a nuclear bomb. A “dirty bomb” most likely will not contain radioactive iodine. A person who is internally contaminated with radioactive iodine may experience thyroid disease later in life. The thyroid gland will absorb radioactive iodine and may develop cancer or abnormal growths later on.
Related QuestionsHow long is the shelf life of potassium iodide?
Anbex Inc. - Manufacturers and distributors of IOSATiOSAT™ Tablets are FDA approved for seven years and should be stored unopened in a dry environment at room temperature.
Related QuestionsWhat do the experts say about potassium iodide?
NBC, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Preparedness, Info Pag...Many authorities on radiation exposure and thyroid cancer have made statements about the benefits of Potassium Iodide following a nuclear accident. April 3, 2003 News Release - "The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that households within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant keep potassium iodide (KI) on hand to protect the thyroid in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactive iodines ("radioiodines") into the environment.
Related QuestionsNRC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About NRC's Response t...Potassium iodide is a salt, similar to table salt. Its chemical symbol is KI. With the appropriate dosage, KI blocks the thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine and thus could reduce the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine that could be dispersed in a severe nuclear accident. KI is not effective against radiation contamination from a "dirty bomb" since radioactive iodine is not present.Related Questions
What are the recommended dosages of potassium iodide?
Potassium Iodide and Nuclear Protection FAQThe FDA is the Federal agency responsible for decisions about appropriate thresholds and dosages for use of potassium iodide. The FDA published their final guidelines on the use of potassium iodide and included revised dosages and intervention levels, "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies.
Related QuestionsWhat potassium iodide (KI) products are currently available?
Randolph Board of HealthThere are two FDA-approved products: "Thyro-Block" (MedPointe, Inc.), approved prior to 1/1/82, and "Iosat" (Anbex, Inc.), approved 10/14/83. These products are approved for over-the-counter (OTC) use as a thyroid-blocking agent in radiation emergencies.
Related QuestionsHow long should potassium iodide (KI) be taken?
Randolph Board of HealthSince KI protects for approximately 24 hours, it should be dosed daily until the risk no longer exists. Priority with regard to evacuation and sheltering should be given to pregnant females and neonates because of the potential for KI to suppress thyroid function in the fetus and neonate. Unless other protective measures are not available, we do not recommend repeat dosing in pregnant females and neonates.
Related QuestionsWho should not take potassium iodide (KI) or have restricted use?
Randolph Board of HealthPersons with known iodine sensitivity should avoid KI, as should individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis and hypocomplementemic vasculitis, extremely rare conditions associated with an increased risk of iodine hypersensitivity. Individuals with multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis should be treated with caution -- especially if dosing extends beyond a few days.
Related QuestionsShould I go out and buy potassium iodide (KI) to keep on hand?
Randolph Board of HealthKI works best if used within 3-4 hours of exposure. Although FDA has not made specific recommendations for individual purchase or use of KI, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has contracted to purchase KI for states with nuclear reactors and states that have population within the 10-mile emergency planning zone, e.g., Delaware or West Virginia.
Related QuestionsWhat about other Potassium Iodide (KI) products? Or Potassium IodATE? Are they FDA approved?
NBC, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Preparedness, Info Pag...Rad Block, No-Rad, LifeExtension (LEF), KI4U, NukeProtect, ProKI and KIO3 Potassium IodATE (different spelling, different drug) are not FDA Approved for radiation emergencies. The FDA has sent cease and desist letters to some of these manufacturers who recommend their product for radiation emergencies. Other products (like Rad Block) state they are manufactured in an "FDA licensed and approved over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturing facility".
Related QuestionsWho really needs to take potassium iodide (KI) after a nuclear radiation release?
Randolph Board of HealthThe FDA guidance prioritizes groups based on age, which primarily determines risk for radioiodine-induced thyroid cancer. Those at highest risk are infants and children, as well as pregnant and nursing females, and the recommendation is to treat them at the lowest threshold (with respect to predicted radioactive dose to the thyroid). Anyone over age 18 and up to age 40 should be treated at a slightly higher threshold.
Related QuestionsWhat are the possible risks and side effects of taking potassium iodide (KI)?
Randolph Board of HealthThyroidal side effects of KI at recommended doses rarely occur in iodine-sufficient populations such as the U.S. As a rule, the risk of thyroidal side effects is related to dose and to the presence of underlying thyroid disease (e.g., goiter, thyroiditis, Graves'). FDA recommends adherence to the Guidance for intervention threshold and dose, though we recognize that the exigencies of any particular emergency situation may mandate deviations from those recommendations.
Related Questionsa doctor, should I be recommending potassium iodide (KI) for my patients who request it?
Randolph Board of Healthwith any drug, physicians should understand the risks and benefits of KI before recommending it or prescribing it to patients. We recommend that physicians read our guidance for more information. It is available on the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm under procedural guidance #18. The FDA guidance discusses the rationale and methods of safe and effective use of KI in radiation emergencies.
Related QuestionsHow do I know that potassium iodide (KI) will be available in case of an emergency?
Randolph Board of HealthFDA will continue to work with interested pharmaceutical manufacturers to assure that high quality, safe, and effective KI products are available for purchase by consumers, by state and local authorities, and by federal government agencies electing to do so.
Related QuestionsWill potassium iodide radiation tablets protect me against a "dirty bomb"?
NBC, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Preparedness, Info Pag...A "dirty bomb" is a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, salted with radioactive waste that scatters when the bomb goes off. The bomb can kill or injure through the initial blast of the conventional explosive and possibly through the dispersal of the radioactive materials-- hence the term "dirty." Such bombs could be small devices or as big as a truck bomb.
Related QuestionsShould I stockpile Potassium Iodide or Cipro?
Frequently Asked Questions About Being Prepared...The Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would like all citizens to work with their local health care professionals and state health departments for more information about their particular circumstances.
Related QuestionsWhat does it mean for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?
Potassium Iodide and Nuclear Protection FAQA State considering the use of potassium iodide would at least review the regulation (66 FR 5427; January 19, 2001 ), the Federal Policy on the Use of Potassium Iodide, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies," the FEMA guidelines, and the NRC disclaimer, and would briefly deliberate the State's position on the use of potassium iodide by the general public in the unlikely event of a severe nuclear reactor .
Related QuestionsHow Do You Make a Potassium Iodide (KI) Solution?
Potassium Iodide Anti-Radiation Pill FAQ (Part 2)Prepared Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions are only available by prescription, such as Lugol's Solution. However, anyone can buy Potassium Iodide USP at a chemical supply house (and even some larger photo supply outlets) and readily mix up their own Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions that is every bit as effective as the tablets.
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