Safety and efficacy of oral potassium iodide in chromoblastomycosis

Potassium iodide, as a saturated solution, is a valuable drug in the dermatologist's therapeutic arsenal and is useful for the treatment of different diseases due to its immunomodulatory features. However, its prescription has become increasingly less frequent in dermatology practice. Little knowledge about its exact mechanism of action, lack of interest from the pharmaceutical industry, the advent of new drugs, and the toxicity caused by the use of high doses of the drug are some possible explanations for that. Consequently, there are few scientific studies on the pharmacological aspects, dosage and efficacy of this drug. Also, there is no conventional standard on how to manipulate and prescribe the saturated solution of potassium iodide, which leads to unawareness of the exact amount of the salt being delivered in grams to patients. Considering that dosage is directly related to toxicity and the immunomodulatory features of this drug, it is essential to define the amount to be prescribed and to reduce it to a minimum effective dose in order to minimize the risks of intolerance and thus improve treatment adherence. This review is relevant due to the fact that the saturated solution of potassium iodide is often the only therapeutic choice available for the treatment of some infectious, inflammatory and immune-mediated dermatoses, no matter whether the reason is specific indication, failure of a previous therapy or cost-effectiveness.

show abstract

“…Therapeutic success is directly linked to the size and duration of the lesion and to the immunological status of the host. 1,20,21,22 …”

Section: Dermatosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of potassium iodide in Dermatology: updates on an old drug

Orofino-Costa

Macedo

Carvalhal

et al. 2013

An. Bras. Dermatol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…(9) Potassium iodide can also be given for treatment. (10) Good hygiene and adequate nutrition may help the individual abort a potential infection. (2) …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chromoblastomycosis: A Case Report From Bihar, India

Sen¹,

Chakraborty²,

Ray³

et al. 2016

jemds

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a 42-year-old male, an army personnel by profession. The patient presented with an itchy nodular lesion (3.5 x 3 cm) that gradually increased in size over a period of 10 months. Scratching the lesion produced oozing of little fluid. Sclerotic bodies were detected both in KOH mount and histopathological examination. The latter also showed presence of microabscess and irregular epithelial margin. Fonsecaea pedrosoi (Cladosporium type) was isolated by culture as final confirmation.

show abstract

“…13 The mechanism by which SSKI exerts its fungicidal action remains poorly understood, yet many researchers have reported its effectiveness, alone or in combination with itraconazole or terbinafine, in chromoblastomycosis caused by F. pedrosoi. [14][15][16][17] We speculate that SSKI perhaps inhibits the formation of granulomas by some immunologic and non-immunologic mechanisms that expose the fungus to the fungicidal effect of itraconazole and thereby enhance its efficacy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%