Potassium Iodide
Potassium Iodide is an iodide supplement and adjunct antifungal.
Group
Iodide supplement and adjunct antifungal
Mechanism of Action
Provides iodide; reported antifungal and expectorant mechanisms are incompletely defined.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal infection adjunct — Initial | 5 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Increase gradually according to response and tolerance. |
| Fungal infection adjunct — Maintenance | 25 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Upper reported titration endpoint. |
| Radiation-related thyroid protection | 2 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 14 days; Reported course 10-14 days or until exposure risk passes. |
| Expectorant | 5 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | |
| Sporotrichosis | 40 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Saturated potassium iodide; at least 60 days. |
| Sporotrichosis | 40 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Give with food; itraconazole may cause fewer adverse effects. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal infection adjunct — Initial | 5 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Increase gradually according to response and tolerance. |
| Fungal infection adjunct — Maintenance | 25 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Upper reported titration endpoint. |
| Radiation-related thyroid protection | 2 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 14 days; Reported course 10-14 days or until exposure risk passes. |
| Expectorant | 5 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | |
| Sporotrichosis | 20 mg/kg | PO | Every 12–24 h | At least 60 days; monitor iodism closely. |
Cattle
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported iodide therapy | 10–15 g/animal | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 60 days; Adult cattle; course 30-60 days. |
| Reported iodide therapy | 5–10 g/animal | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 60 days; Calves; course 30-60 days. |
Horses
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported iodide therapy | 10–15 g/animal | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 60 days; Adult horses; course 30-60 days. |
| Reported iodide therapy | 5–10 g/animal | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 60 days; Ponies; course 30-60 days. |
Indications
- Reported fungal granulomatous infection treatment
- Radiation-related thyroid protection
- Expectorant use
- Sporotrichosis
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and foals
- Do not administer intravenously.
Adverse effects
- Iodism, salivation, nausea, coat changes, eyelid swelling and cough; feline cardiomyopathy reported.
Toxicity
Iodism can cause tearing, nasal discharge, GI signs, coat scaling, fever, weakness and cardiomyopathy; withdrawal and supportive management depend on severity.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium Iodide 65 mg | Tablet | 65 mg / tablet | PO |
| Potassium Iodide 130 mg | Tablet | 130 mg / tablet | PO |
| Potassium iodide solution 65 mg/mL | Oral Liquid | 65 mg / mL | PO |
| Saturated potassium iodide 1 g/mL | Oral Liquid | 1 g / mL | PO |
Monitoring and Administration
Monitor clinical response and signs of iodism; antifungal and expectorant efficacy are not well established.
Protect from moisture, heat and light; do not freeze. A tablet-derived solution in water plus milk/juice/syrup is described as stable for 7 days refrigerated.
Horses: 10-40 mg/kg/day is reported, but the route is not stated for this specific regimen; do not infer an administration route.