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Home Preparation Procedure for Emergency Administration of Potassium Iodide Tablets to Infants and Children Using 65 Milligram (mg) TabletsINTRODUCTION 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 65 mg tablets are given below. YOU WILL NEED
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 65 MG POTASSIUM IODIDE TABLET1. Grind the potassium iodide tablet into powder Put one (1) 65 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 65 MG PREPARATIONSThe 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 (two 65 mg tablets) * 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 (two 65 mg tablets or 16 teaspoonfuls of KI mixture). HOW ALREADY PREPARED POTASSIUM IODIDE MIXTURE SHOULD BE STORED
More detailed information regarding potassium iodide can be found on CDER's Bioterrorism Page at the following web address: www.fda.gov/cder/drugprepare/default.htm
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