What Are The Uses Of Potassium iodide?

Potassium iodide is an active ingredient in cough syrups. It acts as an expectorant i.e., it loosens and breaks up mucus in airways thus facilitates a cough in chronic lung disease patients.

Potassium iodide is also used (along with anti-thyroid medicines) to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal, to protect the thyroid in a radiation exposure emergency and to treat hyperthyroidism.

What Are The Side Effects Of Potassium iodide?

Some side effects of potassium iodide may be:

• Vomiting, diarrhoea
• Metallic taste in mouth, nausea
• A headache, acne, stomach ache

Most people using this medicine do not experience any side effects. However, please consult a physician if the symptoms are persistent.

What Are The Contraindications Of Potassium iodide?

Please inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity towards potassium iodide or any other allergies.
• Skin diseases like dermatitis, herpetiformis
• Blood vessel disease
• Nodular thyroid disease with heart disease
• Muscle disorder (myotonia congenita)