Lugol's iodine

Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, first made in 1829, is a solution of iodinenamed after the Frenchphysician J.G.A. Lugol. Lugol's iodine solution is often used as an antisepticand disinfectant, a starch indicator, to replenish iodine deficiency, to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive materials (e.g. "fallout"), and for emergency disinfection of drinking water. [1]

It consists of 5% iodine(I₂) and 10% potassium iodide(KI) in distilled waterwith total iodine content of 130 mg/mL. Potassium iodide is added to render the iodine water-soluble. This solutionis also used as an indicator to test for the presence of starchesin organic compounds(turns a dark-blue/black).

Other names for Lugol's solution are IKI (Iodine Potassium-Iodide); Iodine, Strong solution (Systemic); Aqueous Iodine Solution BP.

It can be used as a cell stain, making the cell nucleimore visible.

Historically, Lugol's was widely available and used for a number of health problems with some precautions [2]. Lugol's is sometimes prescribed in a variety of alternative medical treatments[3]. Lugols's solution is now only available by prescription in the USA and Canada.

See also

• Tincture of iodine
• Betadine

de:Lugolsche Lösung fr:Solution de lugol nl:Lugol pl:Płyn Lugola

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugol%27s+iodine Wikipedia article Lugol's iodine.