Potassium iodide is a colorless cube crystal, in the form of particles or powders, and it has deliquescence so when it is exposed to the air for a long time, iodine will dissociate and turn to yellow. Potassium iodide is a cosolvent for iodine and other insoluble metal iodides and it is also used as an emulgator for photosensitive; Medically it is used as an expectorant or diuretic, or a type of control agent for goiter or a pre-operative medication for hyperthyroidism. It is also used in the manufacture of rheumatic analgesic ointment with analgesic-activating effect. The marketing prospect of potassium iodide is wider than the one of potassium iodate.
Potassium iodide, as an iodine supplement shaped as troche, mixture or oral liquid, it is mainly used in the prevention of simple goiter and thyroid storm or the preparation of the hyperthyroidism operation.
Potassium iodide is absorbed into blood from gastrointestinal mucosa and exists in the form of inorganic iodine ion in blood. Thyroid has a special affinity for iodine so it can absorb the iodine hundreds of times stronger than other tissues. Half of the iodine in people's daily physiological intake is ingested by the thyroid gland and the other half is distributed in the other parts of body with a similar manner with that of chloride and bromide. It is mainly excreted with urine and faster than chloride and bromide; the other parts also appear in saliva, tears, bile and milk.
In recent years, potassium iodide has been widely used in the treatment of dermatology, ophthalmology, joint inflammation, lead nephropathy and breast hyperplasia. It has gain satisfying achievements.