Iodine (Potassium iodide, Polyvinyl alcohol)

Elementary & iodine has pronounced antimicrobial properties. For preparations of elemental iodine, a pronounced local irritating effect on tissue is typical, and in high concentrations - a cauterizing effect. Local action is due to the ability of elemental iodine to precipitate tissue proteins. Drugs that chip off elemental iodine have a much less pronounced irritant effect, and iodides have local irritating properties only in very high concentrations.

The nature of the resorptive action of drugs of elemental iodine and iodides is the same. The most pronounced effect of the resorptive effect of iodine preparations on the function of the thyroid gland. When iodine deficiency iodides contribute to the restoration of impaired synthesis of thyroid hormones. With a normal iodine content in the environment, iodides inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland's sensitivity to the TSH of the pituitary gland decreases, and its secretion by the pituitary gland is blocked. The effect of iodine preparations on the metabolism is manifested by an increase in dissimilation processes. In atherosclerosis, they cause some decrease in the concentration of cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins in the blood; in addition, they increase the fibrinolytic and lipoproteinase activity of the blood serum and slow down the rate of blood coagulation.

Accumulating in syphilitic gums, iodine contributes to their softening and resorption. However, the accumulation of iodine in the tubercular foci leads to an increase in the inflammatory process in them. Excretion of iodine by the excretory glands is accompanied by irritation of the glandular tissue and increased secretion. This is due to the expectorant effect and stimulation of lactation (in small doses). However, in large doses, iodine preparations can cause lactation inhibition.