Potassium iodide is a medication that's most commonly used to treat thyroid diseases and as an expectorant. It's marketed under the brand names ThyroShield, ThyroSafe, Pima, SSKI Oral Solution and Iosat. Talk with your doctor about the possible health risks and drug interactions before you start taking potassium iodide for any purpose.
Treating Hyperthyroidism
You might take potassium iodide to help in treating hyperthyroidism, a condition that involves over-activity of your thyroid gland, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This medication acts to reduce the secretion of thyroid hormone. Potassium iodide is not safe for treating thyroid problems during pregnancy, or while trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, however. The medication might not be safe to treat your thyroid condition if you have heart disease, kidney disease, Addison's disease, dermatitis hepatitis, hypocomplementemic vasculitis or myotonia congenita, Drug Digest warns. You also shouldn't take potassium iodide with other thyroid medications, potassium supplements, lithium, certain blood pressure or heart failure medications, or "potassium-sparing" diuretics.
Preventing Thyroid Cancer
You might also take potassium iodide to prevent thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The medication appears to block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by your thyroid gland. Potassium iodide may protect your thyroid gland from accidental radiation exposure or radioactive iodide used in diagnostic procedures, explains the University of Michigan Health System. If you have an allergy to potassium iodide or iodine, you shouldn't take this medicine. Also, you could experience some side effects while taking potassium iodide, such as rashes, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, a metallic taste in your mouth, diarrhea and headaches.
Treating Respiratory Problems
Potassium iodide also acts as an expectorant to thin mucous and help you to cough it up from your respiratory tract and lungs. You could take potassium iodide to help treat symptoms of respiratory problems like asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, says the University of Michigan Health System. If you have tuberculosis or take propylthiouracil, you should ask your doctor about the safety of taking potassium iodide, Drug Digest cautions. Potassium iodide is typically mixed with milk or taken with food. You might also take liquid potassium iodide diluted in water or juice, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
