Betadine 2% Germicide Gargle | Mint Flavour

• If you have a thyroid disorder, including an overactive or underactive thyroid, or nodular goitre, unless your doctor has advised it. Iodine is absorbed through the mouth lining and can disturb thyroid function.
• If you are due to have a thyroid scan or radioactive iodine treatment, as absorbed iodine interferes with both.
• If you are allergic to iodine or to povidone-iodine.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor has advised it, absorbed iodine reaches the baby and can affect the baby’s thyroid.
• In young children, unless a doctor has advised it.
• If you have kidney failure, unless your doctor has advised it.

Other General Warnings

• You don't feel any improvement within seven days.
• If you feel irritation, pain, or redness persists or worsens, contact your doctor immediately.
• You have burns and are already using povidone-iodine as a topical antiseptic.
• You develop fever, rash or swelling of the throat.
• Do not let it into your eyes, if contact occurs then rinse it thoroughly.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of Betadine (povidone-iodine preparations) should be avoided unless directed by a doctor, and its use should be limited.

• Store it at 25⁰C in a cool and dry place away from light and moisture.
• Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
• Discard any unused medicine properly.
• Avoid contact with jewellery.
• It may stain clothing or dental work.

• Use it for short courses only. Prolonged regular use increases iodine absorption and the risk of thyroid upset.
• Use it as directed on the pack, and do not make it stronger in hopes of a better effect.
• Gargle, then spit it out completely. Do not swallow.
• Tell your doctor if you have any thyroid condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are due a thyroid scan.
• See a doctor if the sore throat lasts more than a few days or comes with a high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, drooling, or a swollen neck.
• A gargle soothes and reduces organisms in the mouth and throat. It does not treat bacterial throat infections that need antibiotics.
• It can stain fabric and some dental work. Rinse splashes promptly.

Overdose

Missed a Dose

Interactions with other medicines

• Lithium: regular use of an iodine-containing product alongside lithium increases the chance of an underactive thyroid. Tell your doctor.
• Thyroid medicines, including carbimazole and levothyroxine: absorbed iodine can alter thyroid control, so tell your doctor if you use this gargle regularly.
• Hydrogen peroxide and other antiseptic mouthwashes: do not use them at the same time, as they inactivate each other.
• Any medicine applied in the mouth: leave a gap between uses rather than using them together.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interactions.

Interactions with food items

• Do not eat or drink immediately after gargling. Let it act on the throat lining first.
• Do not swallow it. It is a gargle, not a drink, and swallowing increases iodine absorption.
• Milk and food do not interact with it, but they wash it away, so gargle between meals rather than straight after one.