Short answer. In Sweden, county administrative boards (länsstyrelser) post potassium iodide tablets in advance to households, holiday homes and businesses in the emergency zones around the Ringhals, Oskarshamn and Forsmark nuclear plants (inner zone about 5 km, outer about 25 km) 12. Potassium iodide 65 mg is a non-prescription medicine, but it must only be taken when the county board or the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority says so 3.
Who receives iodine tablets in advance?
Households, holiday homes and businesses in the inner (about 5 km) and outer (about 25 km) emergency zones around each nuclear power plant 12. These zones lie in Uppsala, Kalmar and Halland counties, and part of Mark municipality 12. The county board sends the tablets by post; one box per household covers five adults 1.
People who move into a zone receive tablets through quarterly address checks and mailings. If none arrive within six months, they can order them online 1.
What about people further away?
Around each plant there is also a planning zone of about 100 km. There is no advance distribution there, only planning for limited extra distribution if needed 2.
Can I buy potassium iodide in Sweden?
Potassium iodide 65 mg is a non-prescription (receptfritt) medicine 3. Whatever its sale status, the leaflet states that the tablets are to be taken only on a specific instruction from the county board or the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority 3.
When should iodine tablets be taken?
Only when officials say so. The Swedish leaflet reads: "Intag av jodtabletter skall endast ske på särskild uppmaning av länsstyrelse eller Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten" (Iodine tablets shall be taken only on specific instruction from the county board or the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority) 3. Sweden's warning signals are explained on the alerts page.
What dose does the Swedish leaflet give?
For potassium iodide 65 mg tablets 3:
| Group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Adults under 40 and children over 12 | 2 tablets |
| Children 3-12 years | 1 tablet |
| Children 1 month-3 years | 1/2 tablet |
| Infants under 1 month | 1/4 tablet |
| Pregnant and breastfeeding women | 2 tablets, single dose only |
| Adults over 40 | Not recommended, except for high-exposure responders |
How potassium iodide works, and how other countries handle it, is explained in /guides/potassium-iodide.
Frequently asked questions
I live within 25 km of a Swedish nuclear plant and have no tablets. What do I do?
Tablets are sent after quarterly address checks. If none have arrived within six months of moving in, you can order them online from the county board 1.
How many people does one box cover?
One box per household covers five adults 1.
Should adults over 40 take iodine tablets in Sweden?
The leaflet does not recommend them over 40, except for responders facing high exposure 3.
Is there advance distribution 100 km from a plant?
No. In the planning zone of about 100 km there is only planning for limited extra distribution if needed 2.
Sources
- Länsstyrelsen i Hallands län — Beställning av jodtabletter — https://www.lansstyrelsen.se/halland/samhalle/sakerhet-och-beredskap/karnenergiberedskap/bestallning-av-jodtabletter.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Länsstyrelsen i Kronobergs län — Kärnenergiberedskap — https://www.lansstyrelsen.se/kronoberg/samhalle/sakerhet-och-beredskap/karnenergiberedskap.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Läkemedelsverket (Swedish Medical Products Agency), product leaflet — Bipacksedel: Kaliumjodid G.L. Pharma 65 mg tabletter — https://docetp.mpa.se/LMF/Kaliumjodid%20G.L.%20Pharma%20tablet%20PL_09001bee807a44ad.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Sweden, 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
- Länsstyrelsen i Hallands län · Beställning av jodtabletter checked 2026-10-20
- Länsstyrelsen i Kronobergs län · Kärnenergiberedskap checked 2026-10-20
- Läkemedelsverket (Swedish Medical Products Agency), product leaflet · Bipacksedel: Kaliumjodid G.L. Pharma 65 mg tabletter checked 2026-10-20