Potassium Iodide (KI) is recommended to use for two weeks (one tablet per day) to prevent the thyroid from absorbing radioactive Iodine (radioiodine) in the case of a radioactive emergency.

According to the CDC:

• In a radiation emergency, some people may be told to take potassium iodide (KI) to protect their thyroid.

• Do not take KI unless instructed by public health or emergency response officials or a healthcare provider.

• KI is recommended only for people under 40 and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• KI can have harmful effects when used incorrectly. Only use KI products that are approved by the U.S. FDA.

• KI is not a treatment and cannot reverse damage already done to the thyroid.

• KI may not give a person 100% thyroid protection from radioactive iodine.

Most radiation emergencies will involve other types of radioactive materials and not radioactive iodine alone. Radioactive iodine is most common in nuclear power plant incidents.

CDC Website

Recommended dosages:

• Infants 1 month old and younger: 16 milligrams (mg)

• Children over 1 month old and up to age 3: 32 mg

• Children over age 3 and up to age 12: 65 mg

• Adolescents over age 12 and up to age 18: 65 mg

• Adults ages 18 and older: 130 mg

• Women who are pregnant or nursing: 130 mg

You should keep taking potassium iodide once a day until the health department says to stop or you are outside of the emergency area. Never take potassium iodide more often than instructed. This will not provide extra protection. Taking too much potassium iodide can lead to severe illness or death.