Sodium Iodide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Iodopen

Before Using This Dietary Supplement

If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For sodium iodide, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy - It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. A deficiency of iodine in the mother may cause nerve or growth problems for the fetus. However, high doses of sodium iodide may cause thyroid problems or goiter in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding - It is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals so that your baby will also get the vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly. Taking high doses of sodium iodide may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in nursing babies.

Children - Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. However, high doses of sodium iodide may cause skin rash and thyroid problems in infants.

Older adults - Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.

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

• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) - These medicines may prevent sodium iodide from working properly

• Iodine-containing preparations, other - Use of these preparations with sodium iodide may increase blood levels of iodine, which may increase the chance of side effects

• Lithium (e.g., Lithane) - Use of this medicine with sodium iodide may increase the chance of side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of sodium iodide. Make sure you tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease - Use of sodium iodide may increase the amount of iodine in the blood and increase the chance of side effects

• Thyroid disease - This condition may increase the chance of side effects of sodium iodide

• Tuberculosis - Use of sodium iodide may make this condition worse