Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Actions: 

1. Increases the contrast between different types of tissue in the body, allowing for more accurate imaging and diagnosis. 

1. Enhances the visibility of blood vessels and organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys. 

1. Allows for the detection of abnormalities and abnormalities that might not be visible with regular imaging techniques. 

Spectrum: 

1. iohexol is mainly used for contrast-enhanced imaging of the body, such as CT scans and angiograms. 

1. It is also used for kidney function tests, as it is excreted by the kidneys and can help to evaluate kidney function. 

1. It is not used for imaging of the bones or joints. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency Not Defined  

Nausea, and vomiting  

Rash  

Neuralgia  

Headache  

Erythema  

Urticaria  

Pruritus  

Skin discoloration  

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN)  

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning 

iohexol, a contrast agent used in medical imaging, carries a Black Box Warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the risk of severe kidney injury. The warning states that patients with advanced kidney disease or dehydration may be at an increased risk of kidney injury when given iohexol. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

• Allergy or hypersensitivity to iohexol or any of its components. 

Caution: 

• Patients with renal impairment should use iohexol with caution as it is eliminated primarily through the kidneys and may accumulate in the bloodstream leading to potential toxicity. 
• iohexol should be used with caution in patients with a history of asthma, bronchospasm, or other respiratory conditions as it may cause respiratory distress. 
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before using iohexol as the safety and efficacy of iohexol in these populations is not fully established. 
• iohexol should be used with caution in patients on blood thinning medications (such as warfarin) as it may increase the risk of bleeding. 
• iohexol should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal issues such as inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis as it may cause gastrointestinal complications. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned 

Lactation:   

Excreted into human milk is known  

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.    

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.     

Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.     

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.     

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

iohexol (Omnipaque) is a non-ionic, water-soluble, contrast medium used in radiographic and computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures. 

Pharmacodynamics:  

iohexol increases the contrast between different tissues in the body, making it easier to visualize structures on radiographic and CT images. It works by absorbing x-rays and causing a decrease in radiation transmission through the body. 

Pharmacokinetics:  

Absorption  

iohexol is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted unchanged in the urine.  

Distribution  

iohexol distributes rapidly throughout the body but does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier; Protein binding is Minimal  

Metabolism  

iohexol is not metabolized in the body.  

Elimination and excretion  

iohexol is excreted unchanged in the urine, primarily by the kidneys. The elimination half-life is approximately 4 hours; excretedUrine (80-90%)  

Adminstartion

Administration:  

iohexol is administered through intravenous (IV) injection or injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal injection) for certain diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans and myelography. The dosage and administration schedule will vary depending on the specific procedure being performed and the patient’s individual needs. 

Prior to administering iohexol, the healthcare provider will perform a thorough medical history and physical examination to ensure that the patient is not allergic to iohexol or any other contrast agents. The patient may also need to be well hydrated before the procedure to help prevent any kidney or bladder damage. 

iohexol is typically administered as a single injection or in multiple doses, depending on the specific procedure. The injection may be given in a slow or rapid manner, depending on the procedure and the patient’s needs. The healthcare provider will monitor the patient’s vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing, throughout the procedure to ensure that there are no adverse reactions. 

After the procedure, the patient may need to stay in the healthcare facility for a period to be monitored for any side effects or complications. The healthcare provider will also provide specific instructions on how to care for the patient at home and when to seek medical attention if needed. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: iohexol  

Why do we use iohexol? 

iohexol is a contrast agent that is used in medical imaging procedures to enhance the visibility of certain structures in the body. It is often used in combination with computed tomography (CT) scans and myelography, which are diagnostic imaging tests that use X-ray technology to create detailed images of the internal organs and bones. 

iohexol works by absorbing X-rays differently than the surrounding tissue, allowing it to stand out in the images. This makes it easier for healthcare professionals to identify and diagnose potential issues such as tumors, blood clots, or other abnormalities. 

iohexol is also used in certain kidney function tests such as iohexol clearance test, a test that evaluates the kidney function in which it measures the amount of iohexol cleared from the blood.