E-Z-Cat Dry (Oral)

Barium sulfate is used to help diagnose or identify problems in the esophagus, stomach, and bowels. It is a radiographic contrast agent. Contrast agents are used to produce a clear image of various parts of the body.

This medicine should only be given by a doctor or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Your doctor will closely monitor you or your child's progress while receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you or your child should keep using it.

Serious allergic reactions may happen while you are receiving this medicine. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience a rash, itching, noisy breathing, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting after receiving this medicine.

Do not take any other medicines without discussing them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of the test against the benefits it will provide. Other factors may also affect the test results. For this test, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Additionally, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Entero VU™ 24% oral suspension is not approved for use in children.

So far, studies have not shown any pediatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of E-Z-HD oral suspension in children aged 12 years and older. However, the safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children younger than 12 years.

Studies have not shown any pediatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of Varibar® Pudding oral paste in children aged 6 months and older. However, the safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children younger than 6 months.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any geriatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of barium sulfate oral suspension or paste in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may need caution and possible dose adjustments for those receiving this medicine.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should never be used together, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In such cases, your doctor might want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around meal times or with specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about how your medicine interacts with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to other contrast agents, recent or
• Asthma, hay fever, or other allergies, history of—May increase the risk of an allergic reaction occurring again.

• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) or
• Cancer or
• Inflammatory bowel disease or
• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g., diverticulitis, fistula, stenosis, ulcer)—May cause barium to leak in the stomach in patients with these conditions.

• Cystic fibrosis or
• Dehydration or
• Electrolyte imbalance or
• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g., Hirschsprung disease, severe stenosis)—May increase the risk of more serious side effects.

• Fructose intolerance (genetic condition), history of—The oral suspension contains sorbitol, which can worsen this condition.

• Recent radiation treatment in the pelvis (hip area) or
• Known or suspected stomach or bowel blockage or
• Known or suspected stomach or bowel perforation or
• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g., bleeding, injury, ischemia, severe ileus, toxic megacolon) or
• Recent stomach or bowel surgery or
• Difficulty swallowing—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its intended effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you notice any of the following side effects:

Rare

• Bloating
• constipation (severe, continuing)
• cramping (severe)
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain
• tightness in the chest
• trouble breathing

Incidence not known

• Anxiety
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• bruising
• chest pain
• confusion
• cough
• coughing or vomiting blood
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast or slow heartbeat
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• noisy breathing
• persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
• redness of the skin
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

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. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Constipation or diarrhea
• cramping

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Bar-Test
• Entero VU
• E-Z-Cat Dry
• E-Z-Disk
• E-Z-HD
• Readi-Cat 2
• Readi-Cat 2 Smoothie
• Tagitol V
• Varibar
• Varibar Pudding
• Volumen

In Canada

• Acb
• Baro-Cat
• Colobar-100
• Epi-C
• Epi-Stat
• Esobar
• Esopho-Cat Esophageal Cream
• E-Z-Cat
• E-Z-Hd
• E-Z-Jug
• E-Z-Paque
• Gel-Unix 10

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension
• Cream
• Powder for Suspension
• Tablet
• Paste

Therapeutic Class: Diagnostic Agent, Radiological Contrast Media

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given by mouth. You will swallow the barium liquid or paste just before a CT scan or x-ray.

Your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink anything the night before your test. Barium will work better if your stomach and bowels are empty.

It is important to drink plenty of liquids during and after the test. Barium sulfate may cause severe constipation.

Barium sulfate is also available as an enema and given through the rectum.