Quick answers
- What is Potassium iodide used for?
- The Drug Facts label of ThyroSafe (BTG International Inc.) lists these uses: DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed by public officials if a nuclear radiation emergency happens..
- Do I need a prescription for Potassium iodide?
- No. The products on this page are sold without a prescription (over the counter).
- Is a store brand the same as the name brand?
- Products listed together below have the same active ingredient, in the same amount and the same form, as registered with the FDA. Inactive ingredients (such as colors, flavors and fillers) and package sizes can differ. Compare the “Active ingredient” box on both packages, and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Has Potassium iodide been recalled?
- No recall linked to these products appears in the FDA enforcement reports we use.
Drug Facts label
Every over-the-counter medicine must carry a “Drug Facts” box in the same order, set by FDA rules. Below is the label of one product for each common strength and form, quoted word for word. Your own package can differ (for example, children’s products have other directions): always follow the label on your package.
ThyroSafe · BTG International Inc.
Potassium iodide 65 mg, tablet (oral)
Active ingredient
DESCRIPTION Each white, round, cross-scored ThyroSafe ® tablet contains 65 mg of potassium iodide.
Purpose
INDICATIONS ThyroSafe ® (Potassium Iodide Tablets, USP) is a thyroid blocking medicine that is used in a nuclear radiation emergency only.
Uses
DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed by public officials if a nuclear radiation emergency happens.
Warnings
People who are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease should not take KI. Keep out of the reach of children. In case of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat), call 911 or get medical care right away. In case of overdose, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away. Carton Label - Principal Display Panel NDC-50633-910-20 ThyroSafe ® Potassium Iodide Tablets, USP, 65 mg Thyroid blocking in a radiation emergency only 20 tablets, 65 milligrams each Carton Label – Back panel Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets USP, 65 mg Drug Facts Active Ingredient (in each tablet) Potassium Iodide 65 mg Purpose Thyroid blocking Uses Helps prevent radioactive iodine from getting into the thyroid gland during a nuclear radiation emergency. Use along with other emergency measures recommended by public officials.
- Warnings Allergy alert: Iodine may cause an allergic reaction with 1 or more of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or wheezing swelling skin rash trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing fever and joint pain
Do not use
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to iodine nodular thyroid disease with heart disease hypocomplementemic vasculitis dermatitis herpetiformis
Stop use and ask a doctor if
you have if you have an allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing; shortness of breath; wheezing; swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat; or rash. irregular heart or chest pain. Get medical help right away. swelling of the hands or feet, fever, or joint pain.
Keep out of reach of children
In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Directions use as directed by public officials in the event of a nuclear radiation emergency. do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. tablets can be whole or crushed and mixed in milk, baby formula, water, orange juice, flat soda like cola, or raspberry syrup. The liquid mixture should be given to infants, young children, and others who cannot swallow tablets; see consumer package insert on how to make a liquid mixture. Adults over 18 years 2 tablets (whole or crushed) daily (130 mg) Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh at least 150 pounds 2 tablets (whole or crushed) daily (130 mg) Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh less than 150 pounds 1 tablet (whole or crushed) daily (65 mg) Children over 3 years to 12 years 1 tablet (whole or crushed) daily (65 mg) Children over 1 month to 3 years 1/2 tablet (crushed) 32.5 mg daily as directed in the consumer package insert Birth to 1 month 16.25 mg daily as directed in consumer package insert If pregnant, breastfeeding, have a baby up to 1 month of age, or have thyroid disease (except nodular thyroid disease with heart disease), take as directed above and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Directions
| Dose: | |
| Adults over 18 years | 2 tablets (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) |
| Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh at least 150 pounds | 2 tablets (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) |
| Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh less than 150 pounds | 1 tablet (whole or crushed) or 8 teaspoons every day (65 mg) |
| Children over 3 years to 12 years | 1 tablet (whole or crushed) or 8 teaspoons every day (65 mg) |
| Children over 1 month to 3 years | 4 teaspoons every day (32.5 mg) |
| Babies at birth to 1 month | 2 teaspoons every day (16.25 mg) |
Tablets can be crushed and mixed in many liquids. To take the tablet in liquid solution, use dosing directions under Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture . Take KI every day (every 24 hours) as directed by public officials. Do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. More will not help you. Too much medicine may increase the chances of side effects. Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture: Put one 65 mg KI tablet into a small bowl and grind it into a fine powder using the back of a metal teaspoon against the inside of the bowl. The powder should not have any large pieces. Add 4 teaspoons of water to the crushed KI powder in the bowl and mix until the KI powder is dissolved in the water. Take the KI water mixture solution made in step 2 and mix it with 4 teaspoons of low fat white or chocolate milk, orange juice, flat soda, raspberry syrup, or infant formula. The KI liquid mixture will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. It is recommended that the KI liquid mixtures be prepared weekly. Throw away unused portions. The amount of KI (65 mg tablet) in the drink when mixed as described above is 8.125 mg per teaspoon. The number of teaspoons of the drink to give your child depends on your child’s age as described in the following table:
| Child’s Age | Give your child this amount in teaspoons |
| Over 12 to 18 years old who weigh less than 150 pounds | 8 teaspoons will give you a 65 mg dose |
| Over 3 to 12 years old | 8 teaspoons will give you a 65 mg dose |
| Over 1 month to 3 years old | 4 teaspoons will give you a 32.5 mg dose |
| Birth to 1 month | 2 teaspoons will give you a 16.25 mg dose |
Note: This is the amount to give your child for one single dose in teaspoons (not tablespoons). You should give your child one dose each day as recommended by the public officials. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or babies under 1 month of age: Take as directed above and call a doctor as soon as possible. Repeat dosing should be avoided. It is recommended that thyroid function be checked in babies less than 1 month of age that take KI. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also be checked by a doctor if repeat dosing is necessary. Although these precautions should be taken, the benefits of short-term use of KI to block uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland far exceed its chances of side effects. Patients with thyroid disease: If you have both a nodular thyroid condition such as multinodular goiter with heart disease, you should not take KI. Patients with other thyroid conditions may take KI as directed above, but call a doctor if you need to take KI for more than a few days.
Inactive ingredients
lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose Questions or comments? call toll free +1 877 377 3784
— FDA label of ThyroSafe, BTG International Inc., effective August 26, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →
Thyrosafe · BTG International Inc
Potassium iodide 130 mg, tablet (oral)
Active ingredient
DESCRIPTION Each white, round, with a cross line on both sides ThyroSafe ® tablet contains 130 mg of potassium iodide.
Purpose
INDICATIONS ThyroSafe ® (Potassium Iodide Tablets, USP, 130 mg) is a thyroid blocking medicine that is used in a nuclear radiation emergency only.
Uses
DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed by public officials if a nuclear radiation emergency happens.
Warnings
People who are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease should not take KI. Keep out of the reach of children. In case of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat), call 911 or get medical care right away. In case of overdose, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away. Questions or comments? Call toll free +1-877-377-3784
Directions
| Dose: | |
| Adults over 18 years | 1 tablet (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) |
| Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh at least 150 pounds | 1 tablet (whole or crushed) every day (130 mg) |
| Children over 12 years to 18 years who weigh less than 150 pounds | 1/2 tablet (whole or crushed) or 4 teaspoonfuls every day (65 mg) |
| Children over 3 years to 12 years | 1/2 tablet (whole or crushed) or 4 teaspoonfuls every day (65 mg) |
| Children over 1 month | 2 teaspoonfuls every day (32.5 mg) |
| Babies at birth to 1 month | 1 teaspoonful every day (16.25 mg) |
Tablets can be crushed and mixed in many liquids. To take the tablet in liquid solution, use dosing directions under Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture. Take KI every day (every 24 hours) as directed by public officials. Do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. More will not help you. More will not help you. Too much medicine may increase the chances of side effects. Making a Potassium Iodide Liquid Mixture: 1. Put one 130 mg KI tablet into a small bowl and grind it into a fine powder using the back of a metal teaspoon against the inside of the bowl. The powder should not have any large pieces. 2. Add 4 teaspoonfuls of water to the crushed KI powder in the bowl and mix until the KI powder is dissolved in the water. 3. Take the KI water mixture solution made in step 2 and mix it with 4 teaspoonfuls of low fat white or chocolate milk, orange juice, flat soda, raspberry syrup, or infant formula. 4. The KI liquid mixture will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. It is recommended that the KI liquid mixture be prepared weekly. Throw away unused portions. The amount of KI (130 mg tablet) in the drink when mixed as described above is 16.25 mg per teaspoonful. The number of teaspoonfuls of the drink to give your child depends on your child’s age as described in the following table:
| Child’s Age | Give your child this amount in teaspoonfuls |
| Over 12 to 18 years old who weigh less than 150 pounds | 4 teaspoonfuls will give you a 65 mg dose |
| Over 3 to 12 years old | 4 teaspoonfuls will give you a 65 mg dose |
| Over 1 month to 3 years old | 2 teaspoonfuls will give you a 32.5 mg dose |
| Birth to 1 month | 1 teaspoonful will give you a 16.25 mg dose |
Note: This is the amount to give your child for one single dose in teaspoonfuls (not tablespoonfuls). You should give your child one dose each day as recommended by the public officials. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or babies under 1 month of age: Take as directed above and call a doctor as soon as possible. Repeat dosing should be avoided. It is recommended that thyroid function be checked in babies less than 1 month of age that take KI. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also be checked by a doctor if repeat dosing is necessary. Although these precautions should be taken, the benefits of short-term use of KI to block uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland far exceed its chances of side effects. Patients with thyroid disease: If you have both a nodular thyroid condition such as multinodular goiter with heart disease, you should not take KI. Patients with other thyroid conditions may take KI as directed above, but call a doctor if you need to take KI for more than a few days.
Inactive ingredients
lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose
— FDA label of Thyrosafe, BTG International Inc, effective August 19, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →
Potassium Iodide · Mission Pharmacal Company
Potassium iodide 65 mg/mL, solution (oral)
Active ingredient
Potassium iodide (USP) 65 mg
Purpose
Thyroid blocking HOW POTASSIUM IODIDE WORKS: Certain forms of iodine help your thyroid gland work right. Most people get the iodine they need from foods like iodized salt or fish. The thyroid can “store” or hold only a certain amount of iodine. In a nuclear radiation emergency, radioactive iodine may be released in the air. This material may be breathed or swallowed. It may enter the thyroid gland and damage it. The damage would probably not show itself for years. Children are most likely to have thyroid damage. If you take KI, it will block or reduce the chances that radioactive iodine will enter your thyroid gland.
Uses
Helps prevent radioactive iodine from getting into the thyroid gland during a nuclear radiation emergency. Use along with other emergency measures recommended by public officials. INDICATIONS: Potassium Iodide Oral Solution is a thyroid blocking medicine that is used in a nuclear radiation emergency only.
Warnings
- Allergy alert: Iodine may cause an allergic reaction with 1 or more of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or wheezing skin rash trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing swelling fever and joint pain
Do not use
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to iodine nodular thyroid disease with heart disease hypocomplementemic vasculitis dermatitis herpetiformis
Stop use and ask a doctor if
you have an allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing; shortness of breath; wheezing; swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat; or rash. irregular heart or chest pain. Get medical help right away. swelling of the hands or feet, fever, or joint pain. Keep Out of Reach of Children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. WARNING: People who are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease should not take KI. Keep out of the reach of children. In case of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat), call 911 or get medical care right away. In case of overdose, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away. SIDE EFFECTS: Short-term use of KI at the recommended dose is safe. You should not take this drug for longer than you are told. Possible side effects include: swelling of the salivary glands, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, fever, headache, metallic taste, and allergic reactions. Allergic reaction can include skin rashes such as hives swelling of various parts of the body such as the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet fever with joint pain trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing wheezing or shortness of breath Get medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing; wheezing; shortness of breath; or swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat. Taking iodide, in rare cases, may cause overactivity of the thyroid gland, underactivity of the thyroid gland, or enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland may include an irregular heart beat and chest pain. Patients with thyroid disease are more likely to get these side effects. Babies under 1 month of age are more likely to get an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). WHAT TO DO IF SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR: Stop taking KI and call a doctor if you have one or more of the following symptoms: swelling of the face, hands or feet fever and joint pain skin rash Stop taking KI and get medical help right away if you have one or more of the following symptoms: trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing shortness of breath or wheezing swelling of the lips, tongue or throat irregular heart beat or chest pain HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE: KI should be taken as soon as possible after public officials tell you. If you are told to repeat the dose, you should take the second dose 24 hours after the first dose. Do not take it sooner. More KI will not help you because the thyroid can “hold” only certain amounts of iodine. Taking more than 1 dose per day will increase the chances of side effects. The public officials will tell you how many days to take KI. You should take KI until the chances of major exposure to radioactive iodine by breathing or swallowing stops. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE: People should avoid KI if they are allergic to iodine, have dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis, or have nodular thyroid disease with heart disease, because these conditions may increase the chances of side effects to iodine. If pregnant, breastfeeding, have a baby up to 1 month of age or have thyroid disease (except nodular thyroid disease with heart disease) , take as directed and contact a doctor as soon as possible. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or babies under 1 month of age: Take as directed above and call a doctor as soon as possible. Repeat dosing should be avoided. It is recommended that thyroid function be checked in babies less than 1 month of age that take KI. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also be checked by a doctor if repeat dosing is necessary. Although these precautions should be taken, the benefits of short-term use of KI to block uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland far exceed its chances of side effects. Patients with thyroid disease: If you have both a nodular thyroid condition such as multinodular goiter with heart disease, you should not take KI. Patients with other thyroid conditions may take KI as directed above, but call a doctor if you need to take KI for more than a few days.
Directions
This label gives the dose in a chart by age or weight. The FDA file does not keep the chart’s layout, so we do not retype it here (a mistake in a dose chart could be dangerous). Read the chart on your package or on the official label.
Inactive ingredients
FD&C Red #40 and Blue #1, methylparaben, natural and artificial black raspberry flavor, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water (USP), sodium saccharin, sucrose INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: FD&C Red #40 and Blue #1, methylparaben, natural and artificial black raspberry flavor, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water (USP), sodium saccharin, sucrose.
Questions?
call toll free 1-800-531-3333
— FDA label of Potassium Iodide, Mission Pharmacal Company, effective January 7, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →
This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.
Same medicine, other brands
Each group lists the products that have exactly the same active ingredient, in the same amount and form, as registered with the FDA (NDC Directory). A store brand in the same group has the same medicine as the name brand; inactive ingredients, flavors and package sizes can differ. Each product links to its own official label.
Potassium iodide 65 mg · tablet (oral) · 2 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Iosat | Anbex Inc. | DailyMed |
| ThyroSafe | BTG International Inc. | DailyMed |
Potassium iodide 130 mg · tablet (oral) · 2 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Iosat | Anbex Inc. | DailyMed |
| Thyrosafe | BTG International Inc | DailyMed |
Potassium iodide 65 mg/mL · solution (oral) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium Iodide | Mission Pharmacal Company | DailyMed |
Companies that sell this medicine
The company named on the package (maker or distributor), as listed in the FDA NDC Directory, with its number of over-the-counter products of this medicine.
- BTG International Inc2 products
- Anbex Inc.2 products
- Mission Pharmacal Company1 product
Recalls
No recall linked to these products (by their NDC code or label) appears in the FDA enforcement reports.
Sources
- Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- FDA rule for the Drug Facts label (21 CFR 201.66)
Only medicines marketed under FDA rules for nonprescription drugs (an FDA monograph or an FDA approval) are listed. Homeopathic products are not listed: the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness.