This medication is used to protect the thyroid gland after radioactive iodine treatment or during medical scans using radioisotopes such as MIBG scans. The medication works by blocking the thyroid gland from absorbing the radioactive iodine into the thyroid.
This medication may also be used to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal, and to treat certain overactive thyroid conditions (e.g. hyperthyroidism, thyroid storm).
Common side effects include:
Rare but serious side effects include:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Some medications should also be avoided prior to MIBG scan. These include amlodipine, nifedipine, salbutamol, oxymetazoline, pseudoephedrine, promethazine, tramadol, caffeine, and certain antipsychotics.
This list is non-exhaustive, do consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The usual dose of Lugol’s iodine is a very small amount, measure the correct dose carefully using the 1mL-syringe supplied by pharmacist. Further dilute the measured dose with water, juice or milk before administering, to improve the taste and minimize stomach upset.
For MIBG scan: This medication should be started 1 day before your MIBG dye injection and continued for a total of 3 or 5 days, depending on the type of dye injection. Please check with your healthcare professional.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
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