E-Z-Disk (Oral)

Barium sulfate helps diagnose or identify issues in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. It is a radiographic contrast agent. Contrast agents are used to produce clear images of various parts of the body.

This medicine should only be given by a doctor or under a doctor's direct supervision.

Your doctor will monitor you or your child's progress closely while using 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 using this medicine. Inform 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 unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your healthcare professional about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

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

Current studies have not shown specific problems that would limit the use 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 old.

Current studies have not shown specific problems that would limit the use 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 old.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown specific problems that would limit the use of barium sulfate oral suspension or paste in the elderly. However, older adults are more likely to have kidney, liver, or heart issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for patients taking this medicine.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be taken together even if an interaction might happen. In such cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may impact the use of this diagnostic test. Be sure to tell 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 disease), history of—The oral suspension contains sorbitol, which can worsen this condition.

• Recent radiation treatment on 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
• Stomach or bowel surgery or
• Trouble swallowing—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

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

Rare

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

Incidence not known

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

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also provide ways to prevent or lessen 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:

More common

• Constipation or diarrhea
• cramping

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.

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.