Iopamidol

Iopamidol is a contrast agent that helps make images clearer in certain medical scans. It contains iodine, which absorbs x-rays. This type of contrast agent is used to make blood vessels, organs, and other non-bony tissues easier to see on a CT scan or other x-ray tests.

Iopamidol is used to help diagnose specific problems with the heart, brain, blood vessels, and nervous system.

Iopamidol may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Iopamidol is given as an infusion into a vein or artery. A healthcare provider will administer this injection.

You may receive medication to help prevent certain side effects while you are getting iopamidol.

Let your caregivers know if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when iopamidol is injected.

Drink extra fluids before and after your radiologic test. Iopamidol can cause dehydration, which may lead to serious problems with your kidneys. Follow your doctor's advice on the types and amounts of fluids you should drink before and after your test.

Older adults may require special care to prevent dehydration. Your kidney function may need to be checked after you receive iopamidol.

Some people who receive iopamidol have experienced reactions that did not start until 30 to 60 minutes after the medicine was given. Your caregivers may want to monitor you during this time after your injection to ensure you do not have any unwanted side effects or delayed reactions.

Iopamidol can affect certain medical tests for up to 16 days after you are treated with this medicine. Inform any doctor who treats you that you have recently received iopamidol.

You should not receive iopamidol if you have any type of active infection.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any type of reaction to another contrast agent;
• liver or kidney disease;
• heart disease, including congestive heart failure;
• a stroke, blood clots, or coronary artery disease;
• asthma, hay fever, food allergies;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• sickle cell anemia;
• diabetes;
• an active infection;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• multiple myeloma (bone cancer); or
• a thyroid disorder.

It is not known whether iopamidol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Iopamidol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating;
• wheezing or trouble breathing;
• seizure (convulsions);
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid);
• thyroid symptoms--extreme tired feeling, dry skin, joint pain or stiffness, muscle pain or weakness, hoarse voice, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, weight gain;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, coughing up blood; or
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects of iopamidol may include:

• chest pain;
• slow heart rate;
• hot flashes, burning sensation;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• nausea;
• hives; or
• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Computed Tomography:

Computed Tomography: Contrast enhancement of computed tomographic (CECT): cisternography and ventriculographyNeuroradiology: Myelography (lumbar, thoracic, cervical, total columnar)ISOVUE-M 200 (lopamidol Injection): Thoraco-lumbar myelographyCerebral ArteriographyPeripheral ArteriographySelective Visceral Arteriography and AortographyCoronary Arteriography and VentriculographyExcretory Urography

Since iopamidol is used only during your radiologic test, you will not follow a dosing schedule.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not let yourself become dehydrated in the first few days after receiving iopamidol. Call your doctor if you experience any vomiting or diarrhea during this time. Follow your doctor's instructions about what kinds and how much fluids you should drink.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially:

• diabetes medicine that contains metformin (Glucophage, Glucovance, Actoplus Met, PrandiMet, Avandamet, Kombiglyze, Janumet, Kazano, Invokamet, Jentadueto, Xigduo, Synjardy, Metaglip, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect iopamidol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.