Potassium iodide tablets
Protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine. Take only when authorities instruct you to.
- Active ingredient
- Potassium iodide (KI), 65 mg per tablet
- Adults and children 12+
- 130 mg (2 tablets)
- Children 3–12 years
- 65 mg (1 tablet)
- Infants 1 month – 3 years
- 32 mg (half a tablet)
- Newborns under 1 month
- 16 mg (a quarter of a tablet)
- Shelf life
- Typically 5 years or more when sealed. Check the date on the pack and follow the advice of your authorities.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael J. Veloz, Public domain · Photo credits
Pending expert reviewThis page contains medical or safety instructions that are being checked by an expert. Follow official instructions and get hands-on training.
After a nuclear accident or attack, radioactive iodine can be released into the air. If you breathe it in or swallow it, your thyroid gland stores it. Over time, this can increase the risk of thyroid cancer, especially in children.
Potassium iodide fills the thyroid with ordinary, stable iodine. If taken at the right time, the gland is “full” and takes up much less of the radioactive kind. Timing matters: the authorities will tell you when to take it.
This is the only thing these tablets do. They don’t protect the rest of your body, and they don’t protect against other radioactive substances. Sheltering indoors and following official instructions remain the main protection.
Why it’s in the kit
Shops and pharmacies may run out quickly after an incident. Having tablets at home means you can act as soon as the official instruction comes. Dosing follows WHO guidance by age.
Storage & maintenance
Keep the tablets in their original pack, dry, at room temperature and out of reach of children. Check the expiry date once a year. Talk to your doctor in advance if anyone in the household has a thyroid condition.
How to use it
Wait for the official instruction
Take iodide only when the authorities tell you to, by radio, TV, siren announcement or official channels. Don't take it "just in case".
Find the right dose
Check the dose for each person by age in the dosage list above, or follow the dose the authorities announce.
Prepare doses for children
Crush the tablet and mix it with a little water, milk, juice or jam. Give it straight away.
Take it once
One dose is usually enough. Take more only if the authorities say so.
Shelter and listen
Go indoors, close windows and doors and keep listening to official news. The tablets are only one part of protection.
Video guides
Video guides are being prepared.
Manuals & downloads
Manuals will be available here soon.
