Table 6.9. Threshold Radioactive Exposures and Recommended Prophylactic Single Doses of KI

Patients by Age/Sex Predicted Thyroid
Exposure (Gy)
KI Dose (mg) No. of 130-mg
tablets
No. of 65-mg
tablets
Adults
>40 yr old
>5 130 1 2
Adults
18-40 yr
>0.1 130 1 2
Pregnant or lactating women >0.05 130 1 2
Adolescents 12-18 yr old >0.05 130 1 2
Children
3-12 yr old
>0.05 >65 1/2 1
Children
1 mo to 3 yr old
>0.05 32 1/4 1/2
Neonates
birth to 1 mo old
>0.05 16 1/8 1/4

Source: Adapted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies. Available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4825fnl.htm.

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