Iodine

What is it?
Iodine is a mineral that is used to treat iodine deficiency (low iodine), thyroid problems, fibrocystic breast disease, and cancer. It is also used as a skin disinfectant or to treat wounds.

Other names for Iodine include: Potassium iodide, Povidone iodine, and Sodium iodide.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much Iodine you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Iodine. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take Iodine without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Herbal medicines such as Bugleweed

Warnings:

• Before taking Iodine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Poor sleep (11)
• Depression (11)
• Nervousness (11)
• Fever, joint pain, lymph node swelling (12)

References:
1. Delange F & Lecomte P: Iodine Supplementation: benefits outweigh risks. Drug Safety 2000a; 22(2):89-95.
2. Ghent WR, Eskin GA, Low DA et al: Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Can J Surg 1993; 36:453-460.
3. Hintze G, Emrich D, Kobberling J et al: Treatment of endemic goitre due to iodine deficiency with iodine, levothyroxine or both: results of a multlicentre trial. Eur J Clin Invest 1989; 19:527-534.
4. Jamieson A & Semple CG: Successful treatment of Grave's disease in pregnancy with lugol's iodine. Scot Med J 2000; 45(1):20-21.
5. AMA Department of Drugs: AMA Drug Evaluations, 6th ed. American Medical Association, Chicago, IL; 1986.
6. Reasner CA & Talbert RL (eds): Pharmacotherapy, 2nd ed. Elsevier, New York, NY; 1992.
7. Osol A (ed): Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th ed. Mack Publishing Co, Easton, PA; 1980.
8. Kahn FH & Visscher BR: Water disinfection in the wilderness. West J Med 1975; 122:450-453.
9. Goodman LS & Gilman A (eds): The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 4th ed. Macmillan Publishing Co, New York, NY; 1970.
10.Einenkel D, Bauch KH & Benker G: Treatment of juvenile goitre with levothyroxine, iodide or a combination of both: the value of ultrasound grey-scale analysis. Acta Endocrinologica 1992; 127:301-306.
11. Lawrence JC: The use of iodine as an antiseptic agent. J Wound Care 1998; 7(8):421-425.
12. Reynolds JEF (ed): Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia (electronic version). Micromedex, Inc, Englewood, CO; 1990.
13. Ishizuki Y, Yamauchi K & Miura Y: Transient thyrotoxicosis induced by Japanese Kombu. Folia Endocrinol 1989; 65:91-98.
14. Winterhoff H, Sourgens H & Kemper FH: Pharmacodynamic effects of Lithospermum officinale on the thyroid gland of rats; comparison with the effects of iodide. Horm Metabol Res 1983; 15:503-507.
15. Keller K, Hansel R & Chandler RF (eds): Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs, vol 2. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany; 1993.