Iodine, Strong (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lugol's solution

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For strong iodine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to iodine or potassium iodide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Taking strong iodine during pregnancy may cause thyroid problems or goiter in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding - Strong iodine may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in nursing babies.

Children - Strong iodine may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in infants.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of strong iodine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking strong iodine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Amiloride (e.g., Midamor) or
• Spironolactone (e.g., Aldactone) or
• Triamterene (e.g., Dyrenium) - Use of these medicines with strong iodine may increase the amount of potassium in the blood and increase the chance of side effects

• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
• Lithium (e.g., Lithane) - Use of these medicines with strong iodine may increase the chance of side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of strong iodine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bronchitis or
• Other lung conditions - Use of strong iodine may make this condition worse

• Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood) or
• Kidney disease - Use of strong iodine may increase the amount of potassium in the blood and increase the chance of side effects