Potassium Iodide (IOSAT)

Description

Potassium Iodide (IOSAT)

Each standard package of IOSAT contains a strip of 14 tablets, with each tablet containing 130 mg of potassium iodide. The tablets are double scored to split easily and cleanly into 65 mg and 32.5 mg child doses. All IOSAT is fully FDA approved for thyroid blocking in a radiation emergency.

How Potassium Iodide Works
Certain forms of iodine help your thyroid gland work right.  Most people get the iodine they need from foods like iodized salt or fish.  The thyroid can “store” or hold only a certain amount of iodine.

In a radiation emergency, radioactive iodine may be released in the air.  This material may be breathed or swallowed.  It may enter the thyroid gland and damage it.  The damage would probably not show itself for years.  Children are most likely to have thyroid damage.

If you take potassium iodide, it will fill up your thyroid gland.  This reduces the chance that harmful radioactive iodine will enter the thyroid gland.

Potassium iodide should be taken as soon as possible after public health officials tell you.  You should take one dose every 24 hours.  More will not help you because the thyroid can “hold” only limited amounts of iodine.  Larger doses will increase the risk of side effects.