Iodine (Topical)
Before Using This MedicineIf you are using this medicine
without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.
For topical iodine, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to iodine. Also tell your health care professional if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Use of topical iodine is not recommended during pregnancy
because it has been shown to cause thyroid problems in the newborn infant.
Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant
or you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - Topical iodine passes into the breast milk and
has been shown to cause unwanted effects, such as thyroid problems in nursing
babies. It may be necessary for you to use another medicine or to stop breast-feeding
during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the
medicine with your doctor.
Children - Use of topical iodine is not recommended for newborn
infants because it may cause skin and thyroid problems.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of topical iodine in the elderly with use in other age groups,
this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems
in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of
the skin.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of topical iodine. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Animal bites or
-
Deep wounds or
-
Serious burns - The chance of side effects may be increased
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