Iodine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Iodine?

What is iodine used for?

Iodine is a chemical that is needed by the body, but the body itself cannot produce it. In other words, the body has to get these substances from other sources. Another source that can help the body increase its intake is food.

The reason is, the thyroid gland in the body needs this substance to produce hormones. So, if the thyroid gland lacks iodine intake, the system in the body will force the thyroid gland to work harder. This can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland and result in a swollen neck.

This drug is used by mouth. However, these substances also exist that are available in topical form. The main function of Iodine is to prevent the body from deficiency in iodine and conditions caused by it, including goiter and other thyroid disorders. This drug can also be used to treat breasts that have lumps and pain in the breasts.

In addition, this substance is also available in topical form for use on inflamed skin and to kill germs that stick to the skin. This drug can also be used to prevent pain in the inside of the mouth or digestive tract, treat diabetes and health problems such as ulcers.

This drug can also be used in the eye to reduce swelling, especially in infants and prevent blindness in patients who have ulcers on the cornea. This medicine is included in prescription drugs, so you cannot get it at the pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.

How do i use iodine?

The following are ways to use iodine that you should pay attention to, including:

• Take this medication by mouth as instructed. Follow the directions on the packaging of this product. If you do not understand the information provided, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are using this medicine in a topical preparation, then you can use it by applying ⅛ inch to ¼ inch of thickness to sterilize the gauze that will be used later to clean the wound.
• You should also change the gauze once the gel has turned from brown to yellow (you usually need to change it three times a week). Clean with sterile water, saline, or wound cleaner.

How is iodine stored?

As with many other medicines, iodine also has a storage regime. Following are the procedures for storing iodine, including:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places.
• Do not store in the bathroom.
• Do not freeze in the freezer.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

In the meantime, if you are not using this medication, or if the medicine has expired, discard this medicine immediately with the appropriate disposal procedure. For example, when disposing of medicine, do not mix this medicine with other household waste.

Do not also throw this drug in drains such as in the toilet. If you do not know how to properly dispose of garbage, ask your pharmacist or staff from your local waste disposal agency for environmental procedures for disposing of waste.

Iodine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

What is the iodine dosage for adults?

Adult dosage for iodine deficiency

• When deficient in this substance, patients will usually be advised to use a salt containing 20-40 mg of iodine per kilo. If you consume less than 10 grams of salt per day, then the amount of iodine in the salt should be more.

Adult dosage for radiation emergencies

• Potassium iodide should be used just before or after radiation exposure. Because radiation can harm the condition of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children, the dose of potassium iodide used must be measured based on the amount of radiation received and the patient's age.
  • For adolescents aged 12-18 years: 65 mg or 120 mg for adolescents who are approaching adulthood.
  • For pregnant and lactating women: 120 mg
  • For adults aged 18-40 years with radiation above 10 centigrey (cGy) or more: 130 mg
  • For adults aged 40 years with radiation of 500 cGy or more: 130 mg

Adult dosage for thyroid disorders

• Dosage for thyroid crisis: 5 drops of liquid potassium iodine given every 6 hours.
• Dosage for reduced thyroid nodule size: 150-200 micrograms (mcg) of salt used daily after surgery for a benign thyroid tumor, and 50-100 mcg daily as needed. This drug is used for 12 months.

Adult dosage for benign tumors in the breast

• molecules of 70-90 micrograms / kilogram and used for 4-18 months.

Adult dosage for breast pain

• 3000-6000 micrograms (mcg) used daily for 5 months.

Topical / Skin

Adult dose for ulcers in the leg area

• Use cadexomer iodine to treat this condition for 4-6 weeks.
• You can also use povidone-iodine in the form of a liquid, or in the form of an ointment.

Adult dosage for ulcers on the legs due to diabetes

• 0.9% iodine topical ointment and used for 12 weeks.

Adult dosage for oral mucositis

• 100 mL of mouthwash containing povidone-iodine solution is used for three minutes, four times a day, starting from before radiotherapy to completion of radiation.

Adult dosage for gum inflammation

• Mouthwash with 0.1-10% povidone-iodine which is used to clean teeth.

Adult dosage for surgery

• Spray used before and after closing the wound. In addition, a medicinal liquid containing 0.35% -10% was used 1-3 minutes before or after the wound was closed.

Adult dosage for swelling in the endometrium

• Vaginal cleansing fluid that is used right before cesarean section This fluid contains 1-10%.

What is the iodine dosage for children?

Children's dosage for iodine deficiency

• When deficient in this substance, patients will usually be advised to use a salt containing 20-40 mg of iodine per kilo. If you consume less than 10 grams of salt per day, then the amount of this substance in the salt should be greater.

Child dosage for conjunctivitis

• Eye drops containing 2.5% iodine given at birth.

In what dosage is iodine available?

Oral: Potassium iodide: 100 mg / mL and iodine 50 mg / mL

Skin: Potassium iodide: 100 mg / mL and iodine 50 mg / mL

Iodine side effects

What side effects can iodine have?

As with other medicines, this drug can also cause symptoms of side effects of use. The side effects that may occur due to the use of iodine are as follows.

• Oral / Skin: Hypersensitivity reactions (urticaria, angioedema, skin inflammation, purpura, fever, arthralgia, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia)
• Goiter
• hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• For long-term use: causes a metallic taste in the mouth, increased saliva, swelling and laryngitis, eye swelling and irritation, pulmonary edema, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects that are not listed in this list, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Iodine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What to know before using iodine?

Before you decide to use iodine, there are a number of things you should know first, including:

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to this substance.
• Tell your doctor if you have any other allergies, including to other drugs, food, coloring agents, preservatives, to animals.
• Tell your doctor all types of drugs you use, ranging from prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, multivitamins, and dietary supplements.
• Tell your doctor if you have certain health conditions, such as acute bronchitis, for example.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Research in women has shown that this drug is not too risky for the baby if it is taken by a mother who is breastfeeding.

Iodine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with iodine?

Drug interactions may occur if iodine can be used together with other drugs at the same time. Interactions with other drugs can affect how the drug works and increase the risk of dangerous side effects. This article does not list all possible drug interactions.

Record all medicinal products you use (including prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines) and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's permission.

The following are other drugs that may interact with iodine, including:

• Acenocoumarol
• Anisindione
• Dicumarol
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with iodine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

In this case, there are foods that should not be used in conjunction with iodine, namely cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens and similar vegetables. The reason is, if eaten together, these vegetables can interfere with the way the thyroid absorbs this substance.

What health conditions can interact with iodine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Bronchitis
• Other lung conditions. The use of strong iodine can make this condition worse.
• Hyperkalemia (Too much potassium in the blood)
• Kidney illness. The use of strong iodine can increase the level of potassium in the blood and increase the risk of side effects.

Iodine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.