Home Preparation Procedure for Emergency Administration of Potassium Iodide Tablets to Infants and Children Using 130 Milligram (mg) Tablets

INTRODUCTION

Once you have been notified by your federal, state, or local authorities that you have been exposed to radioactive iodine, it may be necessary to prepare doses of potassium iodide for infants, children, and teenagers using potassium iodide tablets. This page explains how to dissolve a crushed potassium iodide tablet in water and then mix that solution with a drink, and how much to give a child. Potassium iodide tablets come in two strengths: 130 mg and 65 mg. Instructions for 130 mg tablets are given below.

YOU WILL NEED

• Potassium iodide (KI)
• Metal teaspoon
• Small bowl
• One of the drinks from the list above or infant formula.

The mixture of potassium iodide with raspberry syrup disguises the taste of potassium iodide best. The mixtures of potassium iodide with low fat chocolate milk, orange juice, and flat soda (for example, cola) generally have an acceptable taste. Low fat white milk and water did not hide the salty taste of potassium iodide.

DIRECTIONS FOR 130 MG POTASSIUM IODIDE TABLET

1. Grind the potassium iodide tablet into powder

Put one (1) 130 mg potassium iodide tablet into a small bowl and grind it into a fine powder using the back of the metal teaspoon against the inside of the bowl. The powder should not have any large pieces.

2. Dissolve the potassium iodide powder in water

Add four (4) teaspoonfuls of water to the potassium iodide powder in the small bowl. Use a spoon to mix them together until the potassium iodide powder is dissolved in the water.

3. Mix drink of choice with potassium iodide powder and water solution

Add four (4) teaspoonfuls of the desired drink to the potassium iodide powder and water mixture described in Step 2.

HOW MUCH OF THE POSTASSIUM IODIDE MIXTURE TO GIVE A CHILD USING 130 MG PREPARATIONS

The number of teaspoonfuls of the drink to give a child depends on the child's age. The chart below tells you how much to give a child. You should give potassium iodide once a day until a risk of significant exposure to radioiodines (radioactive iodine) no longer exists. 

Note: The dose for adults and pregnant or lactating women is 130 mg (1 tablet)

* This is the amount to give your child for one dose. You should give your child one dose each day.

** Teenagers approaching adult size (equal to or greater than 154 pounds) should receive the full adult dose (130 mg tablet or 8 teaspoonfuls of KI mixture).

HOW ALREADY PREPARED POTASSIUM IODIDE MIXTURE SHOULD BE STORED

• Potassium iodide mixed with any of the recommended drinks will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• FDA recommends that the potassium iodide drink mixtures be prepared fresh weekly; unused portions should be discarded.

More detailed information regarding potassium iodide can be found on FDA's Bioterrorism and Drug Preparedness web page.