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[Duer 157099]

5. What are the side effects of KI?

The risks of stable iodine administration include sialadenitis (inflamation of the salivary gland), gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions and minor rashes. In addition, persons 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. Thyroidal side effects of stable iodine include iodineinduced thyrotoxicosis. This is more common in older people and in iodine deficient areas, and usually requires repeated doses of stable iodine. Iodide goiter and hypothyroidism are potential side effects more common in iodine sufficient areas, but they require chronic high doses of stable iodine. Therefore, individuals with multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis (most likely to be adults) should be treated with caution, especially if dosing extends beyond a few days. Transient biochemical hypothyroidism was observed in 0.37% (12 of 3214) of neonates treated with KI in Poland after the Chernobyl reactor accident in 1986, with no reported sequelae to date. FDA has determined that short-term administration of KI at thyroid blocking doses is safe and, in general, more so in children than adults.

6. How often should KI be administered?

The protective effect of KI lasts approximately 24 hours. For optimal prophylaxis, KI should therefore be dosed daily, until a risk of significant exposure to radioiodines by either inhalation or ingestion no longer exists. FDA indicates that across populations at risk for radioiodine exposure, the overall benefits of KI far exceed the risks of overdosing, especially in children, although it continues to emphasize particular attention to dose in infants. Pregnant women should be given KI for their own protection and for that of the fetus, as iodine (whether stable or radioactive) readily crosses the placenta. However, because of the risk of blocking fetal thyroid function with excess stable iodine, repeat dosing with KI of pregnant women should be avoided. Lactating females should be administered KI for their own protection. KI to the mother is not a means to deliver KI to infants, who should get their KI directly. As with direct administration of KI, stable iodine as a component of breast milk may also pose a risk of hypothyroidism in nursing neonates. Therefore, repeat dosing with KI should be avoided in the lactating mother, except during continuing severe contamination. If repeat dosing of the mother is necessary, the nursing neonate should be monitored as recommended above.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/radiological/potassium_iodide/information_for_physicians.htm