Brand Name
US Brand Name
Cystografin
Cystografin-Dilute
Feridex IV
Gastrografin
Glofil-125
Hypaque Meglumine
Hypaque Sodium
MD-Gastroview
Multihance
Perchloracap
Renocal-76
Sinografin
Canadian Brand Name
Renografin-Dip
Description
Radiopaque agents are drugs used to help diagnose certain medical problems. They contain iodine, which absorbs x-rays. Depending on how they are given, radiopaque agents build up in a particular area of the body. The resulting high level of iodine allows the x-rays to make a "picture" of the area.
The radiopaque agents are used in the diagnosis of:
- Biliary tract problems—Diatrizoates, Iodipamide, Iohexol, Iothalamate
- Blood vessel diseases—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
- Blood vessel diseases of the brain—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate
- Blood vessel diseases of the heart—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
- Brain diseases and tumors—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
- Breast lesions—Diatrizoates
- Heart disease—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
- Impaired flow of cerebrospinal fluid in brain—Iohexol, Iopamidol, Metrizamide
- Kidney diseases—Diatrizoates, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate
- Joint diseases—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iothalamate, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
- Liver diseases—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate
- Pancreas disease—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate
- Spinal disk diseases—Diatrizoates
- Spleen diseases—Diatrizoates, Iothalamate
- Stomach and intestinal problems—Diatrizoates, Iohexol
- Urinary tract problems—Diatrizoates, Iohexol, Iopamidol, Iothalamate, Ioversol, Ioxaglate, Metrizamide
Radiopaque agents are taken by mouth or given by enema or injection. X-rays are then used to check if there are any problems with the stomach, intestines, kidneys, or other parts of the body.
Some radiopaque agents, such as iohexol, iopamidol, and metrizamide are given by injection into the spinal canal. X-rays are then used to help diagnose problems or diseases in the head, spinal canal, and nervous system.
The doses of radiopaque agents will be different for different patients and depend on the type of test. The strength of the solution is determined by how much iodine it contains. Different tests will require a different strength and amount of solution depending on the age of the patient, the contrast needed, and the x-ray equipment used.
A catheter or syringe is used to put the solution of the radiopaque agent into the bladder or ureters to help diagnose problems or diseases of the kidneys or other areas of the urinary tract. It may also be placed into the uterus and fallopian tubes to help diagnose problems or disease of those organs. After the test is done, the patient expels most of the solution by urinating (after bladder or ureter studies) or from the vagina (after uterine or fallopian tube studies).
Radiopaque agents are to be used only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Solution
Before Using
In deciding to receive a diagnostic test, the risks of taking the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For these tests, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Children, especially those with other medical problems, may be especially sensitive to the effects of radiopaque agents. This may increase the chance of side effects.
Geriatric
Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of radiopaque agents. This may increase the chance of side effects.
Pregnancy
Studies have not been done in humans with most of the radiopaque agents. However, iohexol, iopamidol, iothalamate, ioversol, ioxaglate, and metrizamide have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. Some of the radiopaque agents, such as diatrizoates have, on rare occasions, caused hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in the baby when they were taken late in the pregnancy. Also, x-rays of the abdomen are usually not recommended during pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breastfeeding
Although some of these radiopaque agents pass into the breast milk, they have not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies. However, it may be necessary for you to stop breast-feeding temporarily after receiving a radiopaque agent. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of diagnostic tests in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Acute kidney problems due to a severe liver disorder (hepato-renal syndrome [HRS]) or
- Acute kidney problems before, during, or after a liver transplant or
- Severe kidney problems, acute or chronic—The use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) should be avoided in patients with severe kidney problems. The risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a very serious disease affecting the skin, muscle, and internal organs, may be increased .
- Asthma, hay fever, or other allergies (history of)—If you have a history of these conditions, the risk of having a reaction, such as an allergic reaction to the radiopaque agent, is greater.
- High blood pressure (severe) or
- Pheochromocytoma (PCC)—Injection of the radiopaque agent may cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
- Liver disease—The radiopaque agent may build up in the body and cause side effects.
- Multiple myeloma (bone cancer)—Serious kidney problems may develop in patients with this condition.
- Overactive thyroid—A sudden increase in symptoms, such as fast heartbeat or palpitations, unusual tiredness or weakness, nervousness, excessive sweating, or muscle weakness may occur.
- Sickle cell disease—The radiopaque agent may promote the formation of abnormal blood cells.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus—There is a greater risk of having kidney problems.
Proper Use
Your doctor may have special instructions for you in preparation for your test. He or she might prescribe a special diet or use of a laxative, depending on the type of test. If you have not received such instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your doctor in advance.
For some tests your doctor may tell you not to eat for several hours before having the test. This is to prevent any food from coming back up and entering your lungs during the test. You may be allowed to drink small amounts of clear liquids; however, check first with your doctor.
If you are on hemodialysis and treated with a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA), your doctor may perform hemodialysis immediately after you receive the contrast agent .
Precautions
Make sure your doctor knows if you are planning to have any thyroid tests in the near future. Even after several weeks or months the results of the thyroid test may be affected by the iodine in this agent.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience burning or itching of the skin; reddened or darkened patches; skin swelling, hardening and/or tightening; yellow raised spots on the whites of the eyes; joint stiffness; limited range of motion in the arms and legs; pain that is deep in the hip bone or ribs; or muscle weakness. These may be symptoms of a very serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) .
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, radiopaque agents can cause serious side effects such as allergic reactions. These effects may occur almost immediately or a few minutes after the radiopaque agent is given. Although these serious side effects appear only rarely, your health care professional will be prepared to give you immediate medical attention if needed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
With injection into the spinal canal
Rare
- Hallucinations (seeing hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- paralysis of one side of body or of legs and arms
For patients receiving gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs)
Incidence not known
- Burning or itching of the skin
- joint stiffness
- limited range of motion in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- muscle weakness
- pain deep in the hip bone or ribs
- reddened or darkened patches on the skin
- skin swelling, hardening and/or tightening
- yellow raised spots on the whites of the eyes
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
With oral or rectal use
Less common
- Diarrhea or laxative effect
With injection into a vein or an artery
More common
- Unusual warmth and flushing of skin
Less common
- Chills
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- pain or burning at the place of injection
- sweating
- unusual or metallic taste
- unusual thirst
With injection into the spinal canal
More common
- Backache
- dizziness
- headache (mild to moderate)
- nausea and vomiting (mild to moderate)
- stiffness of neck
Less common or rare
- Difficult urination
- drowsiness
- headache (severe)
- increased sensitivity of eyes to light
- increased sweating
- loss of appetite
- ringing or buzzing in ears
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these agents, but they have been reported for at least one of them. There are some similarities among these agents, so many of the above side effects may occur with any of them.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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