MAGNETICRESONANCE IMAGING CONTRAST AGENTS (Diagnostic)

Category

• Diagnostic aid, paramagnetic, brain disorders?Gadodiamide; Gadopentetate; Gadoteridol; Gadoversetamide
• Diagnosticaid, paramagnetic, breast disease?Gadopentetate
• Diagnostic aid, paramagnetic, cardiac disease?Gadopentetate
• Diagnostic aid, paramagnetic, liver disorders?Gadopentetate; Gadoversetamide
• Diagnostic aid, paramagnetic, musculoskeletal disease?Gadopentetate
• Diagnosticaid, paramagnetic, spine disorders?Gadodiamide; Gadopentetate; Gadoteridol; Gadoversetamide
• Diagnostic aid, paramagnetic, uterus disorders?Gadopentetate

Description

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agents(also called paramagnetic agents) are used to help provide a clear pictureduring MRI. MRI is a special kind of diagnostic procedure. It uses magnetsand computers to create images or ``pictures'' of certain areas inside thebody. Unlike x-rays, it does not involve ionizing radiation.

MRI contrast agents are given by injection before or during MRI to helpdiagnose problems or diseases of the brain or the spine. In addition, gadopentetateis used to help diagnose problems in other parts of the body, such as thebones and joints, breast, liver, soft tissues, and uterus. Gadoversetamideis also used to help diagnose problems in the liver.

MRI contrast agents may also be used to diagnose other conditions as determinedby your doctor.

MRI contrast agents are injected into a vein. The doses of these agentswill be different for different patients depending on the weight of the person.

These agents are to be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor.

Before Having This Test

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighedagainst the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.Also, test results may be affected by other things. For MRI contrast agents,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to contrast agents such as gadodiamide, gadopentetate,gadoteridol, or gadoversetamide. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergicto any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However,in animal studies, MRI contrast agents caused a delay in development of theanimal fetus, increased the risk of losing the fetus, and caused birth defectsand other side effects in the offspring when these agents were given to themother in doses many times the human dose. Also, it is not known yet whateffect the magnetic field used in MRI might have on the development of thefetus. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding?It is not known what amount of MRI contrast agentspasses into the breast milk. However, your doctor may want you to stop breast-feedingfor some time after you receive an MRI contrast agent. Be sure you have discussedthis with your doctor.

Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of MRI contrast agents in children with use in other age groups, theseagents are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in childrenthan they do in adults.

Older adults?These contrast agents have been tested and have notbeen shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people thanthey do in younger adults.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affectthe use of MRI contrast agents. Make sure you tell your doctor if you haveany other medical problems, especially:

• Allergies or asthma (history of)?If you have a history of allergiesor asthma, you may be at greater risk of having an allergic reaction to thecontrast agent

• Anemia or
• Low blood pressure?MRI contrast agents may make these conditionsworse

• Epilepsy?There may be an increased chance of seizures

• Heart disease?There may be an increased chance of developingan irregular heart beat

• Kidney disease (severe)?Kidney disease can cause the MRI agentto stay in the body longer than usual, which may increase the chance of sideeffects

• Sickle cell disease?There may be a greater risk of blockageof the blood vessels in patients with this condition

Preparation for This Test

Your doctor mayhave special instructions for you to get ready for your test, depending onthe type of test you are having. If you do not understand the instructionsyou receive or if you have not received any instructions, check with yourdoctor ahead of time.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Alongwith their needed effects, MRI contrast agents may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.

Less common or rare

Black, tarry stools; chest pain; confusion; convulsions (seizures); cough; decreased, increased, or painfulurination; dizziness; drowsiness; fainting; fast or irregularheartbeat; hot, painful, swollen skin; itching, watery eyes; skin rash or hives; spitting or coughing up blood; swelling of face; thickening of tongue; throat spasm; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); wheezing, tightness in chest, or troubled breathing

Other sideeffects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effectsmay go away as your body adjusts to this agent. However, check with your doctorif any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Changes in taste; coldness at the placeof injection; headache; nausea

unusual warmth and flushingof skin

Less common or rare

Abdominal pain or discomfort; agitation; anxiety; back pain; burning, tingling, or prickly sensation; change in appetite; change in sense of hearing orsmell; diarrhea or constipation; dryness of mouth; fever; increased muscle tone; increased salivation; gas, bloating, flatulence; increasedwatering of mouth; joint pain; muscle pain or spasm; nosebleeds; pain and/or burning sensation at place of injection; pale skin; redness, pain, or swelling of eye; ringing or buzzing in ears; seeing,hearing, or smelling things that are not there; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; stuffy, runny nose or sneezing; swellingof face, hands, lower legs, or feet; thirst; tremor; twisting or other unusual bodymovements; vision disturbances; vomiting; weakness or tiredness

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each ofthese agents, but they have been reported for at least one of them. Thereare some similarities among these agents, so many of the above side effectsmay occur with any of them.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.