Strong Iodine

INDICATIONS Strong Iodine Solution, containing 5 percent of iodine and 10 percent of potassium iodide, is employed in the prophylaxis of simple and colloid goiters and in the treatment of exophthalmic goiter. It can be used alone as a preoperative preparation but is now most commonly used concomitantly with propylthiouracil and other antithyroid drugs. When used with these drugs, Strong Iodine Solution produces involution of the hyperplastic gland thus making a less triable and vascular gland for thyroidectomy. In addition, it has an additive antithyroid action that helps make the patient enthyroid faster than if the antithyroid drugs were used alone.

The use of iodides may be contraindicated in patients with tuberculosis because it is believed they may cause a breakdown of healing lesions. The use of iodides is contraindicated in patients with iododerma, laryngeal edema, and swelling of salivary glands or increased salivation upon previous exposure to iodides. Strong Iodine Solution is ineffective in the treatment of postoperative thyroid crisis.

Prolonged therapy may cause iodism. USE IN PREGNANCY: The drug readily crosses the placental barrier and may affect the fetus if used during pregnancy.

Iodine therapy does not completely control the manifestations of hyperthyroidism and after a variable period of time, the beneficial effects wear off. With continued administration of the drug, the hyperthyroidism may return in its initial intensity or become even more severe than it was at first. Measurements of the protein-bound iodine or of the uptake of radioiodine are rendered useless if iodine is given.

Ingestion of large quantities of Strong Iodine Solution may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Average doses may cause skin rash.