Entero VU (Oral)

Barium sulfate is used to help diagnose or identify problems in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. It is a radiographic contrast agent. Contrast agents are used to produce a clear image of the 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 monitor you or your child's progress closely while receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you or your child should keep taking it.

Serious allergic reactions may happen while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience a rash, itching, noisy breathing, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting after taking 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 as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, you need to consider any risks of the test along with its benefits. This is a decision you will make with your doctor. Additionally, other factors can affect test results. For this test, you should think about the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other types of allergies you may have, 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 meant for use in children.

Current studies have not shown any pediatric-specific problems that would limit the use of E-Z-HD oral suspension in children 12 years of age and older. However, safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children younger than 12 years of age.

Current studies have not shown any pediatric-specific problems that would limit the use of Varibar® Pudding oral paste in children 6 months of age and older. However, safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children younger than 6 months of age.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the use of barium sulfate oral suspension or paste in elderly patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney, liver, or heart issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment 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 might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. 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 used at or around mealtime or with certain foods because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how your medicine interacts with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

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

• Allergy to other contrast agents, recent or
• A history of asthma, hay fever, or other allergies—May increase the risk of an allergic reaction happening 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.

• A history of fructose intolerance (genetic disease)—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 needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

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

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. 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:

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.