Potassium Iodide is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Sski
- Taken
- Oral
- Label
- Emerald Therapeutics, LLC, revised August 25, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (2 companies) · details
What it is used for
Potassium iodide oral solution, USP is for use as an expectorant in the symptomatic treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases where tenacious mucus complicates the problem, including bronchial asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.
Who should not take it (contraindications)
Contraindicated in patients with a known sensitivity to iodides.
Warnings
Potassium iodide can cause fetal harm, abnormal thyroid function, and goiter when administered to a pregnant woman. Because of the possible development of fetal goiter, if the drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant during therapy, apprise the patient of the potential hazard.
Precautions
General: In some patients, prolonged use of iodides can lead to hypothyroidism. Iodides should be used with caution in patients having Addison's disease, cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism, myotonia congenita, tuberculosis, acute bronchitis, or renal function impairment. Drug Interactions: Concurrent use with lithium or antithyroid drugs may potentiate the hypothyroid and goitrogenic effects of these medications. Concurrent use with potassium-containing medications, potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) may result in hyperkalemia and cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions: Thyroid function tests may be altered by iodide. Pregnancy: see "Warnings" section. Nursing Mothers: Potassium iodide is excreted in breast milk. Use by nursing mothers may cause skin rash and thyroid suppression in the infant. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
The most frequent adverse reactions to potassium iodide are stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, skin rash, and salivary gland swelling or tenderness. Less frequent adverse reactions include gastrointestinal bleeding, confusion, irregular heartbeat, numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet, unusual tiredness, weakness or heaviness of legs, fever, and swelling of neck or throat. Thyroid adenoma, goiter, and myxedema are possible side effects. Iodism or chronic iodine poisoning may occur during prolonged treatment or with the use of high doses. The symptoms of iodism include burning of mouth or throat, severe headache, metallic taste, soreness of teeth and gums, symptoms of head cold, irritation of the eyes with swelling of the eyelids, unusual increase in salivation,acneform skin lesions in the seborrheic areas, and rarely, severe skin eruptions. If symptoms of iodism appear, the drug should be withdrawn and the patient given appropriate supportive therapy. Hypersensitivity to iodides may occur and may be manifested by angioedema, cutaneous and mucosal hemorrhage, and signs and symptoms resembling serum sickness, such as fever, arthralgia, lymph node enlargement, and eosinophilia.
Drug interactions
Concurrent use with lithium or antithyroid drugs may potentiate the hypothyroid and goitrogenic effects of these medications. Concurrent use with potassium-containing medications, potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) may result in hyperkalemia and cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
Pregnancy
see "Warnings" section.
Breastfeeding
Potassium iodide is excreted in breast milk. Use by nursing mothers may cause skin rash and thyroid suppression in the infant.
Use in children
Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Is there a generic Potassium Iodide?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Potassium Iodide from 2 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 2002.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
Companies with an approved generic
Btg Intl, Mission Pharmacal
Brand-name versions
- Thyro-block Meda Pharms, approved 1979 Discontinued
- Iosat Anbex, approved 1982
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Potassium iodide in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Recalls
No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 0bdf305f-ed4a-49d1-8901-edaed8d67850.