What do systematic reviews say?

Iodine vs topical antibiotics

It is very uncertain whether iodine changes adverse events compared with topical antibiotics (very low certainty).

• Antiseptics for burns 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.86 [0.35, 2.1]
  1 study · 40 participants
  Very low

Recombinant human thyrotropin‐aided radioiodine vs radioiodine

Recombinant human thyrotropin‐aided radioiodine showed no clear difference in adverse events compared with radioiodine (low certainty).

• Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)‐aided radioiodine treatment for non‐toxic multinodular goitre 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.24 [0.94, 1.63]
  6 studies · 321 participants
  Low

Parachlorometaxylenol with iodine vs iodine alone

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Skin preparation for preventing infection following caesarean section 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Zinc tape vs povidone‐iodine

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for ulceration and other skin changes caused by nerve damage in leprosy 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Chlorhexidine vs povidone‐iodine

It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine gluconate changes adverse events (maternal) ‐ skin irritation or allergic skin reaction compared with povidone iodine (very low certainty).

• Skin preparation for preventing infection following caesarean section 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.64 [0.28, 1.46]
  3 studies · 1926 participants
  Very low

Intervention not reported

• Radioiodine therapy versus antithyroid medications for Graves' disease 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 104 participants
  Very low