RADIOPAQUEAGENTS (Diagnostic)

Category

• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, biliary tract disorders?Diatrizoates; Iodipamide; Iohexol; Iothalamate
• Diagnostic aid,radiopaque, brain disorders?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioxaglate; Metrizamide
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, cardiac disease?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioversol; Ioxaglate; Metrizamide
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, central nervous system disorders?Iopamidol; Metrizamide
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, cerebrospinalfluid disorders?Iopamidol; Metrizamide
• Diagnostic aid,radiopaque, contrast enhancer in computed tomography?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioversol; Ioxaglate
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, diskdisease?Diatrizoates
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, gastrointestinal disorders?Diatrizoates; Iohexol
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, gallbladder disorders?Iodipamide
• Diagnostic aid,radiopaque, joint disease?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioversol; Ioxaglate
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, pancreas disorders?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iothalamate
• Diagnostic aid,radiopaque, peritoneal disorders?Iopamidol; Ioversol
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, splenic and portal vein disorders?Diatrizoates
• Diagnosticaid, radiopaque, urinary tract disorders?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioversol; Ioxaglate; Metrizamide
• Diagnostic aid, radiopaque, vascular disease?Diatrizoates; Iohexol; Iopamidol; Iothalamate; Ioversol; Ioxaglate; Metrizamide

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 resultinghigh 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-raysare 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 aregiven by injection into the spinal canal. X-rays are then used to help diagnoseproblems or diseases in the head, spinal canal, and nervous system.

The doses of radiopaque agents will be different for different patientsand depend on the type of test. The strength of the solution is determinedby how much iodine it contains. Different tests will require a different strengthand amount of solution depending on the age of the patient, the contrast needed,and the x-ray equipment used.

Radiopaque agents are to be used only by or under the direct supervisionof 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 radiopaque agents,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to iodine, to products containing iodine (for example, iodine-containingfoods such as seafood, cabbage, kale, rape [turnip-like vegetable], turnips,or iodized salt), or to any radiopaque agent. Also tell your doctor if youare allergic to any other substance, such as sulfites or other preservatives.

Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in humans with most ofthe radiopaque agents. However, iohexol, iopamidol, iothalamate, ioversol,ioxaglate, and metrizamide have not been shown to cause birth defects or otherproblems in animal studies. Some of the radiopaque agents, such as diatrizoateshave, on rare occasions, caused hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in thebaby when they were taken late in the pregnancy. Also, x-rays of the abdomenare usually not recommended during pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing thefetus to radiation. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding?Although some of these radiopaque agents pass intothe 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 afterreceiving a radiopaque agent. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Children?Children, especially those with other medical problems,may be especially sensitive to the effects of radiopaque agents. This mayincrease the chance of side effects.

Older adults?Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effectsof radiopaque agents. This may increase the chance of side effects.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affectthe use of radiopaque agents. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have anyother medical problems, especially:

• Asthma, hay fever, or other allergies (history of)?If you havea history of these conditions, the risk of having a reaction, such as an allergicreaction to the radiopaque agent, is greater

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus?There is a greater riskof having kidney problems

• High blood pressure (severe) or
• Pheochromocytoma (PCC)?Injection of the radiopaque agent maycause a dangerous rise in blood pressure

• Kidney disease (severe)?More serious kidney problems may develop;also, the radiopaque agent may build up in the body and cause side effects

• Liver disease?The radiopaque agent may build up in the bodyand cause side effects

• Multiple myeloma (bone cancer)?Serious kidney problems maydevelop in patients with this condition

• Overactive thyroid?A sudden increase in symptoms, such as fastheartbeat or palpitations, unusual tiredness or weakness, nervousness, excessivesweating, or muscle weakness may occur

• Sickle cell disease?The radiopaque agent may promote the formationof abnormal blood cells

Preparation for This Test

Your doctor mayhave special instructions for you in preparation for your test. He or shemight prescribe a special diet or use of a laxative, depending on the typeof test. If you have not received such instructions or if you do not understandthem, check with your doctor in advance.

For some tests your doctor may tell you not to eat for several hours beforehaving the test. This is to prevent any food from coming back up and enteringyour lungs during the test. You may be allowed to drink small amounts of clearliquids; however, check first with your doctor.

Precautions After Having This Test

Make sure your doctor knows if you are planning to have any thyroid testsin the near future. Even after several weeks or months the results of thethyroid test may be affected by the iodine in this agent.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with their needed effects, radiopaque agents can sometimes causeserious effects such as severe allergic reactions or heart problems. Theseeffects may occur almost immediately or a few minutes after the radiopaqueagent is given. Although these serious side effects appear only rarely, yourhealth care professional will be prepared to give you immediate medical attentionif needed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following side effectsoccur:

With injection into the spinal canal

Rare

Hallucinations (seeing hearing, or feeling things that are notthere); paralysis of one side of body or of legsand arms

Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body adjuststo this agent. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:

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 sensitivityof eyes to light; increased sweating; loss of appetite; ringing or buzzingin ears; unusual tiredness or weakness

Not all of the side effects listedabove have been reported for each of these agents, but they have been reportedfor 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 above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.