why is iodine no longer sold in drug stores or anywhere else that I can find?

Question

is it because iodine & a common household cleaner can be combined to make explosives? or has it been found to have side effects or what?

Answer 1

The DEA is considering a public ban on all iodine solutions of greater than 2.2% because iodine is required for the production of methamphetamine. That could be the reason but Iodine is still available in drugstores but most require prescriptions.

That would include Iodine solution or Lugol's solution.
One tablet form of Lugol's is sold under the trade name "Iodoral" , from Optimox corporation. Optimox does not sell directly to consumers, but there are many distributors around.
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Iodoral.htm
http://www.edgarcayceproducts.com/atomidine.html
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Lugols-Iodine-Solution-4oz-P6409C670.aspx
http://www.clarksonlab.com/sales.htm

Answer 2

iodine is still sold in farm supply or horse stores ect. it can be used as an antiseptic or anti fungal agent for farm type large animals. i also never found that it stained, perhaps the oidine they sell at these stores is a diluted formula or mixed with other things.

Answer 3

Probably just that it stains, but there are alternative antiseptics that don't (like isopropanol), so it probably wan't worth stocking given most people would preffer to buy something that stains less.

Answer 4

there are things that work and smell a lot better. the only good thing for it any more is to satin microscope slides