Lugol's iodine

Lugol's iodine
2% Lugol's iodine solution
Clinical data
Other namesPotassium triiodide, Lugol's solution, aqueous iodine, strong iodine solution[1]
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
License data
Routes of
administration		topical, by mouth
Identifiers
CAS Number
DrugBank
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaI3K
Molar mass419.812

Lugol's iodine, also known as aqueous iodine and strong iodine solution, is a solution of potassium iodide with iodine in water.[2] It is a medication and disinfectant used for a number of purposes.[3][4] Taken by mouth it is used to treat thyrotoxicosis until surgery can be carried out, protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine, and to treat iodine deficiency.[4][5] When applied to the cervix it is used to help in screening for cervical cancer.[6] As a disinfectant it may be applied to small wounds such as a needle stick injury.[3] A small amount may also be used for emergency disinfection of drinking water.[7]

Side effects may include allergic reactions, headache, vomiting, and conjunctivitis.[4][1] Long term use may result in trouble sleeping and depression.[4] It should not typically be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[4] Lugol's iodine is a liquid made up of two parts potassium iodide for every one part elemental iodine in water.[8]

Lugol's iodine was first made in 1829 by the French physician Jean Lugol.[7][8] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[9][10] Lugol's iodine is available as a generic medication and over the counter.[1] Lugol's solution is available in different strengths of iodine. Large volumes of concentrations more than 2.2% may be subject to regulation.[11]

  1. ^ a b c "Strong Iodine Solution". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  2. ^ Kaiho T (2014). Iodine Chemistry and Applications. John Wiley & Sons. p. 55. ISBN 9781118466292. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b Block SS (2001). Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 177. ISBN 9780683307405. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e British National Formulary: BNF 69 (69th ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 493. ISBN 9780857111562.
  5. ^ Lugol's solution Drug Information, Professional. 1994. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. ^ Fokom-Domgue J, Combescure C, Fokom-Defo V, Tebeu PM, Vassilakos P, Kengne AP, et al. (July 2015). "Performance of alternative strategies for primary cervical cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies". BMJ. 351: h3084. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3084. PMC 4490835. PMID 26142020.
  7. ^ a b Preedy VR, Burrow GN, Watson RR (2009). Comprehensive Handbook of Iodine: Nutritional, Biochemical, Pathological and Therapeutic Aspects. Academic Press. p. 135. ISBN 9780080920863. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017.
  8. ^ a b Sneader W (2005). Drug Discovery: A History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 67. ISBN 9780471899792. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017.
  9. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  10. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference fr0702 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).