Dosing and uses of Iodine
RDa
150 mcg/day
Pregnancy: 220 mcg/day
Lactation: 290 mcg/day
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
RDa
1-8 years: 90 mcg/day
8-13 years: 120 mcg/day
13-18 years: 150 mcg/day
Iodine adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Metallic taste
Fever
Arthralgia
Diarrhea
Angioedema
Urticaria
Eosinophilia
Headache
Pulmonary edema
Thyroid suppression
Acne (high dose)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to drug or components
Cautions
Excessive iodine may cause hypothyroidism by feedback inhibition of thyroid hormone production & conversion of triiodothyronine (T3) to less active thyroxine (T4)
Use caution in patients with renal impairment
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: Not studied
Lactation: Enters breast milk; use caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Iodine
Mechanism of action
Required for thyroid hormone synthesis; component of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4)
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability: 90%
Excretion: 90% (urine)
Distribution: Thyroid
