Potassium iodide in dermatology: A 19th century drug for the 21st century?uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications

Sterling, Jeff; Heymann, Warren R.

doi:10.1067/mjd.2000.107247

Cited by 140 publications

(141 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Potassium iodide is not recommended during pregnancy (category D). Main adverse events: nausea, metallic taste, hypothyroidism, iododerma, and iodism (Sterling andHeymann 2000, Lesher et al 1994).…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sporothrix schenckii and sporotrichosis

Lópes-Bezerra

Schubach²,

Orofino-Costa

2006

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

165

105

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For a long time sporotrichosis has been regarded to have a low incidence in Brazil; however, recent studies demonstrate that not only the number of reported cases but also the incidence of more severe or atypical clinical forms of the disease are increasing. Recent data indicate that these more severe forms occur in about 10% of patients with confi rmed diagnosis. The less frequent forms, mainly osteoarticular sporotrichosis, might be associated both with patient immunodepression and zoonotic transmission of the disease. The extracutaneous form and the atypical forms are a challenge to a newly developed serological test, introduced as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of unusual clinical forms of sporotrichosis.

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Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sporothrix schenckii and sporotrichosis

Lópes-Bezerra

Schubach²,

Orofino-Costa

2006

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

165

105

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“…Typical oral dose is 300 mg (approximately 6 drops of saturated solution SSKI) 3 times daily. After ingestion KI is readily absorbed in the intestinal tract and distributes rapidly to the extracellular space [4]. The mechanism of action of KI in EN is largely unknown, but it is thought that it causes heparin release from mast cells and heparin acts to suppress delayed hypersensitivity reactions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When KI is used for more than one month a screening TSH is prudent to ensure that iodide-induced hypothyroidism does not ensue. If this is detected, discontinuing KI will usually result in normal T4, T3, and TSH with one month [4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resistant Erythema Nodosum-Remembering an Old Treatment (Potassium Iodide)

Lake¹,

Alexander²,

Mikulik³

et al. 2017

Gen Med (Los Angeles)

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This is a case report of a patient with resistant erythema nodosum. Despite multiple traditional treatments, the patient did not improve until the use of potassium iodide, an under used treatment for EN. Also included is a review of EN including clinical features, histology, and treatment. Potassium iodide as a treatment for treatment resistant EN is discussed in detail including possible mechanism of action, dosage, adverse effects, and contraindications. Keywords: Nodules; Potassium iodide; Erythema nodosumAbbreviations EN: Erythema Nodosum; KI: Potassium Iodide Case ReportA 55 year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history of refractory hepatitis C, coronary artery disease, COPD, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and GERD who presented to our Rheumatology clinic in January complaining of lesions on her right leg.Her lesions started nine months prior as a small spot over her right calf which subsequently grew into nodules. They were tender to touch and red in appearance. She was treated by her primary care physician for cellulitis with several courses of antibiotics including doxycyline without improvement. She was then treated with steroids with no change. She was started on colchicine, which did not help.Her outside labs were reviewed, which included a rheumatoid factor, sedimentation rate, serum protein electrophoresis, complete blood count, creatinine, ANCA, compliment levels including (CH50, C3, C4), C-reactive protein, lyme test, and ANA which were all negative or within normal limits. Her liver enzymes were elevated as well as her angiotensin converting enzyme at 93 with normal being less than 68. An X-ray of her chest was unremarkable. She denied signs or symptoms consistent with connective tissue disease or systemic vasculitis. She denied fevers, weight loss or joint pain. On this initial visit, her physical exam was unremarkable with the exception of several nodules located on her shins, which were tender to palpation, erythematous and ranged in size from 1-5 cm. A clinical diagnosis of erythema nodosum was made and she was started on Dapsone. Hydroxychloroquine was considered but there was concern for liver toxicity with Hepatitis-C.Initially, her nodules decreased in size on Dapsone, but she then developed new nodules on her ankles. She continued to have normal inflammatory markers and elevated liver enzymes on repeat labs. Dapsone was discontinued secondary to the development of lesions while on this medication. Prednisone was started at a low dose of 5 mg daily. She tolerated low dose prednisone but did not have improvement. Her dose was increased to 10 mg daily, but she continued to develop new lesions.She was referred to dermatology who tried high dose steroids beginning at 60 mg with taper over the next two weeks but the nodules did not respond. She was started on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, Mobic 7.5 mg daily, at our clinic without improvement. Dermatology then arranged for a biopsy. Biopsy was completed in September 2008 from a large extensor surface nodule of 5 cm on th...

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“…Potassium iodide (KI) is a medication that has been used for decades in dermatology [1]. Kl is a photosensitive crystal composed of salt (76%) and potassium (23%) [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potassium Iodide for Cutaneous Inflammatory Disorders: A Monocentric, Retrospective Study

et al. 2018

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Objectives: Potassium iodide (KI) is a medication that has been used for decades in dermatology and it is mentioned as a treatment option in all major dermatology textbooks. Yet, there is little recent information on its efficacy. In our study, we wanted to retrospectively evaluate the therapy response to KI in our patients. Methods: The hospital information system was searched for patients treated with KI at the Department of Dermatology (University Hospital Zurich) in the last 20 years (January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2017). A total of 52 patients were found and, subsequently, 35 patients were included in our study. Results: KI was prescribed for the following skin conditions: erythema nodosum, disseminated granuloma anulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, nodular vasculitis, cutaneous sarcoidosis, and granulomatous perioral dermatitis/ rosacea. The median duration of KI intake was 5 ± 7.7 weeks (range 1–26). The global assessment of efficacy by the treating physician showed an improvement of disease in about a third of all patients. No response was seen in 14 patients and 9 even had a progression of disease. An adverse event was documented in 16 cases. Conclusions: Our findings show that an improvement was reached in only about a third of all cases. High response rates with only mild side effects (in 16 out of 35 patients) were observed.

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Potassium iodide in dermatology: A 19th century drug for the 21st century?uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications

Cited by 140 publications

References 52 publications

Sporothrix schenckii and sporotrichosis

Sporothrix schenckii and sporotrichosis

Resistant Erythema Nodosum-Remembering an Old Treatment (Potassium Iodide)

Potassium Iodide for Cutaneous Inflammatory Disorders: A Monocentric, Retrospective Study

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