What is potassium iodide or potassium iodide (KI)?

In a simple view, potassium iodide or potassium iodide is an inorganic chemical compound whose chemical formula is KI and its molecular weight is 166 g/mol. This chemical composition inIn natural conditions and free from moisture, it is in the form of a white powder. Potassium iodide is used in various applications; Some of the most common uses include medical applications to treat hyperthyroidism, in emergencies related to radioactive radiation and nuclear accidents, and to protect the thyroid gland when some radioactive drugs are prescribed due to the patient’s condition.

For the first time in 1820, potassium iodide was used for treatment. Potassium iodide tablets, if there is a small dose, are among generic drugs; This means that you do not need a prescription to buy medicine; But potassium iodide (or potassium iodide) pills, which are used to prevent nuclear damage and atomic radiation, must have a higher dose to be effective.

If potassium iodide is administered in the form of a medicine, it may have side effects such as abdominal pain, itching, diarrhea, and swelling of the salivary glands. Other side effects include hypersensitivity (or allergic reactions), headache, goiter, and depression. Also, if a pregnant woman takes this medicine, it may be dangerous for the baby; But during emergencies like radioactive radiation and atomic disasters, it is recommended to take this pill.

Production of potassium iodide

Industrially and commercially, potassium iodide is formed by mixing potassium hydroxide with iodine.

How does potassium iodide (KI) work after entering the body?

The human thyroid gland does not have the ability to distinguish between stable iodine atoms and radioactive iodine; Therefore, it absorbs both types of these elements. Potassium iodide has the ability to block radioactive iodines; Therefore, radioactive iodine does not enter the thyroid gland. When a person consumes potassium iodide tablets, stable iodine enters the thyroid gland and the thyroid gland is saturated with iodine for 24 hours and is no longer able to absorb radioactive iodine.

In the figure below, you can see the metabolism of potassium iodide:

Effective factors in the effectiveness of potassium iodide tablets against nuclear radiation

Of course, it should be mentioned that the use of potassium iodide tablets does not provide 100% immunity to people against radioactive radiation. In addition, in emergency cases like what happened in the Chernobyl incident, 3 factors are effective in increasing immunity by potassium iodide tablets:

• The time it takes for the medicine to be taken after the atom is infected : the sooner potassium iodide tablets are used, the more effective they are.
• The percentage of stable iodine absorption in the body : depending on how fast the iodine in these tablets can be absorbed in the body.
• The dose of radioactive iodine entered into the body : the lower the initial dose of radioactive iodine absorbed by the thyroid gland, the greater the effect of potassium iodide tablets.

Who can use potassium iodide tablets?

Babies and infants

In general, the thyroid gland of the fetus and newborn is very sensitive and has a high risk of damage. Children and people with low iodine levels in their thyroid gland are more at risk. This category should receive an appropriate dose of potassium iodide medicine. Infants should receive a single dose of potassium iodide. If babies receive more than one dose of this substance, they may have further problems. Of course, sometimes in certain cases, more than one dose is needed.

children

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that children exposed to radioactive iodine should receive doses of potassium iodide; Unless they have severe allergies.

Youth

People between the ages of 18 and 40 who were contaminated with radioactive iodine should take potassium iodide tablets.

pregnant women

Because all types of iodine (radioactive or stable) have the ability to enter and absorb into the placenta; Therefore, pregnant women should use potassium iodide tablets. Usually they should take a dose of medicine once.

Lactating women

This group of people should also receive a dose of potassium iodide, and of course, lactating women have a higher priority than other groups.

adults

People over the age of 40 should not receive potassium iodide tablets unless directed by public health or emergency management. This is because people over the age of 40 are less likely to develop thyroid cancer or thyroid damage if they are exposed to radiation.

Which of the potassium iodide tablets is more suitable for preventing nuclear damage?

The American Food and Drug Administration has recommended 2 types of potassium iodide tablets to prevent nuclear damage. These two types of tablets are 130 mg and 65 mg, which are in the form of disc-shaped tablets with a line in the middle that allows them to be cut in half. There are also solutions in which the concentration of potassium iodide is equal to 65 mg/ml.

Dosage of potassium iodide for each age group based on FDA documentation

• Babies from one day to 1 month should receive 16 mg of potassium iodide.
• Infants between 1 month and 3 years of age should receive 32 mg of potassium iodide.
• People ages 3 to 18 should get 65 mg. Of course, children who are similar to adults in terms of physical dimensions, the dose of potassium iodide for them should be equal to that of young adults.
•  Young adults should get 130 mg of potassium iodide.
• Lactating women should get 130 mg of potassium iodide.

How many times should potassium iodide be used to protect against radioactive radiation?

The caveat is that using a higher dose of potassium iodide or using more potassium iodide than recommended does not provide additional protection, but can cause death or severe illness.

Each dose of potassium iodide (with the specified amount for each age group) has the ability to protect the thyroid gland for 24 hours, and every 24 hours the pill must be renewed; Of course, this is the case for a limited number of days.

And of course, for some groups such as babies, lactating women and pregnant women, repeating the dose should be avoided.

Side effects of potassium iodide tablets

Side effects of potassium iodide include heartache, gastrointestinal (gastrointestinal) discomfort, allergic reactions, itching, salivary gland inflammation.

Of course, sometimes side effects are caused by the following:

• Consumption of potassium iodide more than the allowed amount
• Using potassium iodide for a longer period of time than recommended
• Having underlying thyroid problems

Also, newborn babies who receive a dose of potassium iodide will be at risk of suffering from hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid hormone in them reaches its minimum level, and if this condition is not treated, it will cause brain damage.

Babies who receive more than one dose of potassium iodide should have their thyroid hormone levels checked.

Repeated doses of potassium iodide for infants should be avoided.

Where can I get potassium iodide tablets?

Potassium iodide tablets are usually available over the counter; But people should start taking these pills only with the advice of public health or emergency management (crisis management).

The source of this article is a quote from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC for short.