Short answer. The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) recommends keeping iodine tablets at home for people under 40 and for pregnant and breastfeeding women 1. "Medical iodine tablets" of 65 mg potassium iodide are sold over the counter at pharmacies, without a prescription 1. Denmark also holds a national stockpile of 2 million tablets, handed out only in a concrete emergency. There is no pre-distribution by zone 1.
Who should keep iodine tablets in Denmark?
In the Authority's words: "For personer under 40 år samt gravide og ammende anbefales det, at jodtabletter er til rådighed som en del af hjemmeberedskabet" (for people under 40 and pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is recommended that iodine tablets be available as part of household preparedness) 1.
- Recommended: people under 40, and pregnant and breastfeeding women of any age 1.
- Benefit most: children and young people under 18, and pregnant and breastfeeding women 1.
- Not recommended: people over 40, following WHO guidance from 2017 1.
The national crisis brochure repeats the same target groups 2. The general science is explained in /guides/potassium-iodide.
Where can I buy them, and what strength?
| Point | Danish rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sale | Over the counter at pharmacies, no prescription | 1 |
| Strength | 65 mg potassium iodide (50 mg iodine) per tablet | 1 |
| Food supplements | Iodine food supplements cannot replace them | 1 |
The Authority states: "Jodtabletter kan købes i håndkøb på apoteket og kræver ikke recept fra lægen" (iodine tablets can be bought over the counter at the pharmacy and do not require a doctor's prescription) 1.
Does Denmark distribute tablets or have zones?
No household pre-distribution and no Danish distribution zones 1. The national stockpile of 2 million tablets would only be distributed if needed in a specific emergency 1.
The Authority notes that, internationally, tablets are only recommended within 100 to 200 km of a damaged reactor. Apart from Sweden's Ringhals plant, 65 km from Læsø, all other nuclear power plants are more than 200 km from Denmark 1.
When should I take them?
Only when the Danish Health Authority says so; the instruction will be announced on radio, TV and sst.dk 1. Timing matters 1:
- Best protection: less than 24 hours before and up to 2 hours after exposure.
- Still reasonable: up to 8 hours after exposure.
- Never: later than 24 hours after exposure.
Sheltering indoors with doors and windows closed is the main protection 1. See /guides/fallout-7-10-rule and /guides/radiation-decontamination for the wider picture.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription for iodine tablets in Denmark?
No. Medical iodine tablets are sold over the counter at pharmacies 1.
Should a 45-year-old take iodine tablets?
The Danish Health Authority does not recommend them for people over 40, following WHO 2017 guidance; pregnant and breastfeeding women are the exception at any age 1.
Can I use an iodine supplement from the health-food shop instead?
No. The Authority states that iodine food supplements cannot replace medical iodine tablets 1.
Will the state send me tablets?
No household pre-distribution takes place. A national stockpile of 2 million tablets would be distributed only if needed in a specific emergency 1.
Sources
- Sundhedsstyrelsen — Jod og jodtabletter — https://www.sst.dk/vidensbase/forebyggelse/forurening-og-miljoe/luftforurening/jod-og-jodtabletter (accessed 2026-10-20; sst.dk blocked automated access that day, page read in its Internet Archive copy of 2026-03-09: http://web.archive.org/web/20260309002936/https://www.sst.dk/vidensbase/forebyggelse/forurening-og-miljoe/luftforurening/jod-og-jodtabletter)
- Danish Emergency Management Agency (hosted by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) — Be prepared for a crisis — https://samsik.dk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EN-prepared-for-crises.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Denmark, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Sundhedsstyrelsen · Jod og jodtabletter checked 2026-10-20
- Danish Emergency Management Agency (hosted by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) · Be prepared for a crisis checked 2026-10-20