Potassium Iodide
| Evidence Level: L4 | Predicted Indications: 1 |
Table of Contents
- Potassium Iodide
- Pharmacist Assessment Report
- Potassium Iodide: From Allergic and Vasomotor Rhinitis to Nasal Cavity Disease
- One-Sentence Summary
- Quick Overview
- Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
- Clinical Trial Evidence
- Literature Evidence
- India Market Information
- Safety Considerations
- Conclusion and Next Steps
- Review Log
- Disclaimer
Potassium Iodide: From Allergic and Vasomotor Rhinitis to Nasal Cavity Disease
One-Sentence Summary
Potassium iodide was originally used for upper respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, pharyngitis, the common cold and nasopharyngitis. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for nasal cavity disease, but support is thin: 0 clinical trials and 4 publications, all case reports (3 veterinary, 1 human).
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, pharyngitis, common cold, nasopharyngitis (the registered label text is blank in the data compiled for this report) |
| Predicted New Indication | Nasal cavity disease |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9995 |
| Evidence Level | L4 |
| India Market Status | Listed in a compiled Indian medicine price dataset (7 of 7) – CDSCO approval status is not included in this data |
| Number of Listed Products | 7 (valid: 7) |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Currently, detailed mechanism of action data is not available. Based on known information, potassium iodide has a long history as a treatment for certain fungal and fungus-like infections, such as sporotrichosis and, in veterinary use, pythiosis and zygomycosis. Its original upper respiratory uses relate mainly to thinning mucus (expectorant or mucolytic action).
The retrieved literature describes nasal and rhinofacial infections (pythiosis, Aspergillus rhinitis, Pseudallescheria infection, nasofacial zygomycosis) in which potassium iodide was used or discussed. A plausible link is an antifungal or immunomodulatory effect on granulomatous fungal infection of the nasal cavity.
There are important caveats. The original indications are about mucus thinning, not antimicrobial action, so the two mechanisms differ. The high TxGNN score is a computational prediction and is not backed by controlled human data. In addition, the same prediction list includes acute laryngopharyngitis (score 0.9995, no trials or literature found, evidence level L5). That is close to the existing upper respiratory uses, so it is more a label-adjacent indication than a true repurposing.
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered.
Literature Evidence
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39576399 | 2024 | Case report (veterinary, horse) | Veterinary Research Communications | Mycotic rhinitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in a mare, treated with topical clotrimazole and oral potassium iodide |
| 34902797 | 2022 | Case report (veterinary, sheep) | Journal de Mycologie Medicale | Successful potassium iodide treatment of rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep |
| 7997795 | 1994 | Case report (human) | Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo | Nasofacial zygomycosis in a 64-year-old woman in Brazil, with a rapid response to potassium iodide |
| 10976304 | 2000 | Case report (veterinary, horse) | Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | Pseudallescheria boydii infection of the nasal cavity in a horse, treated with miconazole and sodium iodide; the specific role of the iodide is unclear |
India Market Information
| Authorization Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41548 | Catasoft Eye Drop | Bottle of 10 ml eye drop | Not stated |
| 180123 | Pyonil Gum Paint | Bottle of 15 ml gum paint | Not stated |
| 35543 | Catax Eye Drop | Bottle of 10 ml eye drop | Not stated |
| 37727 | Catobar Eye Drop | Bottle of 10 ml eye drop | Not stated |
| 35844 | Catafly Eye Drop | Bottle of 10 ml eye drop | Not stated |
Two more eye drop registrations also exist (Cataclear, 35495; Catadoze, 39559), for 7 in total. All are are currently valid. The marketed forms are ophthalmic and gum paint, and none is a nasal or oral systemic form, so the predicted nasal indication has no route match among current Indian products.
Review correction (2026-11-06): Originally stated: “All are single-ingredient products and all are currently valid.” Removed: the number or status of product records stated here did not match the Indian medicine data (the Indian Medicine Dataset as of 2026-11-06). The data list 7 product records for this drug, 7 current; the Quick Overview and the table under India Market Information show the current figures. Source: Indian Medicine Dataset.
Safety Considerations
- Contraindications flagged in the knowledge graph (drug-disease links, not package insert text): hypertension, liver failure and liver disease, kidney disease, epilepsy, COPD, anxiety and neurotic disorders, porphyria, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thrombocytopenia, hypothyroidism and myxedema, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, psychotic and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, dermatitis herpetiformis, diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Drug Interactions: 45 interactions were recorded; the 20 reviewed include these.
- Major: ACE inhibitors (benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril), angiotensin receptor blockers (olmesartan, valsartan, azilsartan medoxomil, losartan, telmisartan) and trimethoprim. These are mainly hyperkalaemia-type concerns.
- Moderate: NSAIDs (ketorolac, ibuprofen, diclofenac, oxaprozin, naproxen), aliskiren and tolvaptan.
Package insert warnings and contraindications were not available, so please refer to the package insert for label safety information.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The prediction rests on a high model score and a handful of case reports, mostly in animals, with no registered clinical trials. The mechanism differs from the original indications, and none of the Indian products is a suitable nasal form.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Package insert warnings and contraindications for the Indian products (a blocking gap for safety screening)
- Mechanism of action data, to assess the link between the antifungal and mucolytic effects
- Human controlled data or registered trials in nasal fungal disease or other nasal cavity conditions
- A route and formulation assessment, since current Indian products are ophthalmic or gum paint
- A review of the contraindication and drug interaction signals (hypertension, thyroid, renal disease, potassium-raising drugs) for the target population
Review Log
Below is the review log for this page: statements checked against official Indian medicine data (the Indian Medicine Dataset used by this site). Corrections are limited to basic factual statements; model predictions, evidence levels, and conclusions were not rewritten.
| Review date | Item | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-06 | Removed: “single-ingredient products and all” | Corrected | Indian Medicine Dataset |
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.