Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.
Iodixanol (Injection route)
eye-oh-DIX-a-nolBrand Name(s)
In the US: Visipaque
Dosage forms
Solution
Classifications
Therapeutic: Radiological Non-Ionic Contrast Media
Uses of This Medicine
Iodixanol injection is used to help diagnose or find problems in the brain, heart, head, blood vessels, and other parts of the body. It is an iodinated contrast agent. Contrast agents are used to create a clear picture of the different parts of the body during certain medical procedures, such as CT scans and angiography.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of a doctor.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters B Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
MetforminOther Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Allergies or hypersensitivities to other medications or allergens, history of or Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or Allergy to a contrast agent, history of or Allergy to iodine or to food or Asthma or Autoimmune or other immunity disorders—Use with caution. May increase risk of having allergic reactions. Anuria (not able to pass urine) or Blood vessel disease, severe or Congestive heart failure or Dehydration or Diabetes or Kidney disease or Multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) or Paraproteinemia (high amount of paraprotein in the blood)—May increase risk of having kidney failure. Blood clotting problems (eg, phlebitis, thrombosis) or Heart or blood vessel disease or Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or Kidney disease, severe or Liver disease or Pheochromocytoma (adrenal problem) or Sickle cell anemia (inherited blood disorder)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Homocystinuria (genetic disease)—Patients with this condition should avoid undergoing angiography because of the increase risk of having blood clotting problems.Proper Use of This Medicine
A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in an artery or a vein.
Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are receiving this medicine. This may help prevent kidney problems.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medicine may cause heart attack, stroke, and blood clotting problems during angiographic procedures. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child has chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness, coughing up blood, numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking after receiving this medicine.
Severe kidney problems may occur after receiving this medicine. This is more likely to occur if you receive too much of this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have the following symptoms after receiving the medicine: agitation, confusion, decreased urine output, dizziness, headache, muscle twitching, rapid weight gain, or swelling of the face, ankles, or hands.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child has a skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, sweating, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, or tightness in the chest after you get the injection.
Tell your doctor right away if you have mild, burning pain, feeling of warmth or coldness, peeling of the skin, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any dye or medicine given during a test or procedure.
While using this medicine, you may be exposed to radiation. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects of This Medicine
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:
Less common
Arm, back, or jaw pain chest pain or discomfort chest tightness or heaviness fainting fast or irregular heartbeat nausea shortness of breath sweatingRare
Agitation blurred vision chest pain or discomfort coma confusion cough decreased urine output depression difficulty breathing dilated neck veins dizziness dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position extreme fatigue fainting feeling of warmth headache hostility irregular breathing irritability lethargy muscle twitching noisy breathing pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck rapid weight gain redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest seizures severe or sudden headache stupor sudden loss of coordination sudden slurring of speech swelling of the face, ankles, or hands swelling of the fingers, feet, or lower legs vomiting weight gainSome 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:
Less common
Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings change in taste diarrhea dizziness or lightheadedness feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings itching or skin rash sensation of spinningRare
Acid or sour stomach anxiety back pain belching continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears decreased awareness or responsiveness dry mouth general feeling of discomfort or illness hearing loss heartburn hives or welts hyperventilation indigestion redness of the skin restlessness severe sleepiness shaking stomach discomfort, upset, or pain transient, mild, pleasant aromatic odor trouble sleepingOther 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.