Lugol's iodine

Lugol's iodine

Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, first made in 1829, is a solution of elemental iodine and potassium iodide in water, named after the French physician J.G.A. Lugol. Lugol's iodine solution is often used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, for emergency disinfection of drinking water, and as a reagent for starch detection in routine laboratory and medical tests.

It has been used more rarely to replenish iodine deficiency. [http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/] Higdon, J., "Micronutrient Information Center: Iodine," Linux Pauling Institute/Oregon State University; April, 2003 (revised by Drake, V.J., July, 2007).] However, pure potassium iodide, without the more toxic elemental iodine, is preferred for this purpose.

Formula and manufacture

Lugol's solution consists of 5 g iodine (I2) and 10 g potassium iodide (KI) mixed with 85 ml distilled water, to make a brown solution with a total iodine content of 130 mg/mL. Potassium iodide renders the elementary iodine soluble in water through the formation of the I3- ion. It is not to be confused with simple tincture of iodine solutions, which consist of elemental iodine disolved in alcohol. Lugol's solution contains no alcohol.

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

Lugol's is obtained from chemists and pharmacists who are licensed to prepare and dispense the solution.

Applications

This solution is also used as an indicator to test for the presence of starches in organic compounds, with which it reacts by turning a dark-blue/black. Elemental iodine solutions like Lugol's will stain starches due to iodine's interaction with the coil structure of the polysaccharide. Lugol's solution will not detect simple sugars such as glucose or fructose. In the pathologic condition amyloidosis, amyloid deposits can be so abundant that affected organs will also stain grossly positive for the Lugol reaction for starch.

It can be used as a cell stain, making the cell nuclei more visible and for preserving phytoplankton samples.

During colposcopy, Lugol's iodine is applied to the vagina and cervix. Normal vaginal tissue stains brown due to its high starch content, while tissue suspicious for cancer does not stain, and thus appears pale compared to the surrounding tissue. Biopsy of suspicious tissue can then be performed. This is called a Schiller's test.

Lugol's solution can also be used in various experiments to observe how a cell membrane uses osmosis and diffusion.

Lugol's iodine may also be used as an oxidizing germicide, however it is somewhat undesirable in that it may lead to scarring and discolors the skin temporarily. One way to avoid this problem is by using a solution of 70% ethanol to wash off the iodine later.

Historical applications

Lugol's was often used in the treatment of gout.

It was also used at one time as a first line treatment for severe hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency in adults.

Historically, Lugol's iodine solution has been widely available and used for a number of health problems with some precautions. [ [http://www.drugs.com/cons/Lugol_s_solution.html] Drugs.com, "Lugol's Solution."] Lugol's is sometimes prescribed in a variety of alternative medical treatments. [ [http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-05/IOD_05.html] Optimox.com, "Iodine."] [ [http://www.jcrows.com/iodine.html] Jcrows.com, "Iodine."]

Until 2007, in the United States of America, Lugol's solution was unregulated and available over the counter as a general reagent, an antiseptic, a preservative, [ [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2005.03.001] Hawkins et al., "Change in cyanobacterial biovolume due to preservation by Lugol's Iodine," Harmful Algae, Volume 4, Issue 6, pp. 1033-1043; November, 2005.] or as a medicament for human or veterinary application.

2007 DEA regulation in the United States

However, effective August 1, 2007, the DEA now regulates Lugol's solution (and, in fact, all iodine solutions containing greater than 2.2% iodine) as a List I precursor because it may potentially be used in the illicit production of methamphetamine. [ [http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2007/fr0702.htm] US DEA, "Final Rule: Changes in the Regulation of Iodine Crystals and Chemical Mixtures Containing Over 2.2 Percent Iodine," Federal Register, Volume 72, Number 126; July 2, 2007 (FR Doc E7-12736).] However, transactions of up to one fluid ounce (30 ml) of Lugol's solution are exempt from this regulation. By contrast, Lugol's iodine solution is available over the counter in Canada and Mexico, for example.

References

See also

* Tincture of iodine
* Betadinehttp://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9049302/Lugol's-solution


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lugol's iodine — a solution of 5% iodine and 10% potassium iodide, used in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis in emergencies, such as thyroid storm, or when surgery cannot wait for more conventional treatments. For its mode of action it utilizes the abnormal Wolff… …   Medical dictionary

  • Lugol's iodine — a solution of 5% iodine and 10% potassium iodide, used in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis in emergencies, such as thyroid crisis, or when surgery cannot wait for more conventional treatments. For its mode of action it utilizes the abnormal Wolff… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Lugol — may refer to:* Jean Guillaume Auguste Lugol (1786 1851) French doctor * Lugol s iodine, a solution of iodine in potassium iodide, named after J. G. A. Lugol …   Wikipedia

  • Iodine — (IPAEng|ˈaɪədaɪn, ˈaɪədɪn, or IPA|/ˈaɪədiːn/; from el. ιώδης iodes violet ), is a chemical element that has the symbol I and atomic number 53. Naturally occurring iodine is a single isotope with 74 neutrons. Chemically, iodine is the least… …   Wikipedia

  • Iodine deficiency — Iodine is an essential trace element; the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodotyronine contain iodine. In areas where there is little iodine in the diet mdash;typically remote inlandareas where no marine foods are eaten mdash;iodine deficiency… …   Wikipedia

  • Lugol's solution — Lu·gol s solution lü gȯlz n any of several deep brown solutions of iodine and potassium iodide in water or alcohol that are used in medicine (as for the internal administration of iodine) and as microscopic stains called also Lugol s iodine,… …   Medical dictionary

  • Iodine — An essential element in the diet used by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroxine (T4) has four iodine molecules attached to its structure, while… …   Medical dictionary

  • iodine — n. an element required in small amounts for healthy growth and development. An adult body contains about 30 mg of iodine, mostly concentrated in the thyroid gland: this gland requires iodine to synthesize thyroid hormones. A deficiency of iodine… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Lugol — El lugol o solución de Lugol es una disolución de yodo molecular I2 y yoduro potásico KI en agua destilada. Fue preparada por primera vez en 1829 y nombrada en honor al médico francés J.G.A. Lugol. Este producto se emplea frecuentemente como… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Lugol iodine (iodine solution) — Lu·gol iodine (iodine solution) (looґgol) [Jean Guillaume Auguste Lugol, French physician, 1786–1851] see strong iodine solution, under solution …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”