Potassium iodide (KI) tablets are an emergency medicine meant only for nuclear accidents or attacks—not for everyday use as an iodine supplement. During a nuclear emergency, radioactive iodine can be released into the air and absorbed by your thyroid gland, where it can cause cancer, especially in children.
These tablets work by filling up your thyroid with safe, non-radioactive iodide. Since the thyroid can only hold so much, there’s no room left for the harmful radioactive kind. Timing is key: take it just before or soon after exposure. It protects only the thyroid—nothing else.
DOSING
Dosing depends on age. Adults take 1 tablet a day (2 if pregnant or breastfeeding), kids 3–18 take 1, young children 1 month–3 years take half, and infants under 1 month take a quarter. For little ones, crush the tablet into food or drink. During a real emergency, follow the directions of a doctor or public health official.
A few warnings: don’t take more than directed—extra pills won’t give you more protection, just more side effects like rash or allergic reactions. People with iodine allergies or thyroid problems should check with a doctor first. This is general info, not medical advice.
If you did not receive your tablets
Phone Durham Health Connection Line at 1.800.841.2729
