iomeprol

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

Actions: 

iomeprol works by containing iodine, which is a high-atomic-number element that effectively absorbs X-rays. When administered into the body, it increases the contrast or brightness of blood vessels and specific organs during imaging procedures. This increased contrast allows healthcare professionals to better visualize and differentiate structures within the body, aiding in diagnosing and assessing various medical conditions. 

Spectrum: 

iomeprol has a broad X-ray absorption spectrum, meaning it absorbs X-rays across a range of energy levels. This absorption spectrum makes it suitable for various imaging techniques, including routine CT scans, angiograms, and other radiographic procedures.  

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency defined 

>10% 

Headache 

1-10% 

Hypertension 

Vomiting 

Nausea 

Feeling hot 

Dizziness 

Limb pain 

Back pain 

<1% 

Tachycardia 

Pruritis 

Erythema 

Dyspnea 

Fever 

Increased serum creatinine 

Muscle rigidity 

Asthenia 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

None 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications: 

• Hypersensitivity 
• Renal impairment 
• Thyroid disorders 

Cautions: 

• Mild to moderate allergies 
• Asthma 
• Dehydration 
• Diabetes 
• Elderly patients 
• Pregnancy 
• Breastfeeding 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

The drug crosses the placenta, hence should be avoided during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

iomeprol is excreted in small amounts in breast milk; hence, utilize it cautiously. 

Pregnancy category: 

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 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: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

iomeprol is an iodinated contrast agent used in medical imaging to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and tissues during radiographic procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans and angiography. It works by taking advantage of the high atomic number of iodine, which effectively absorbs X-rays. When administered into the body, iomeprol increases the contrast or brightness of the structures it fills, allowing them to be more clearly visualized in the resulting images. 

Pharmacodynamics: 

The primary pharmacodynamic effect of iomeprol is the enhancement of contrast in medical images. Contrast refers to the difference in X-ray absorption between different tissues or structures within the body. Because iomeprol absorbs X-rays more readily than the surrounding tissues, it increases the contrast between blood vessels and other structures, making them more visible in the resulting images. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

When administered intravenously, iomeprol is absorbed systemically. 

Distribution 

After intravenous administration, iomeprol is rapidly distributed throughout the body’s blood vessels and extracellular spaces. 

Metabolism 

iomeprol is minimally metabolized in the body. 

Elimination and excretion 

The elimination half-life is 1.9 hours 

It is excreted through the kidneys 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

• Intravenous Access: A sterile intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into a vein in the arm or hand. This allows direct access for administering the contrast agent and other necessary medications. 
• Patient Positioning: The patient will be positioned appropriately for imaging, such as lying on a CT scanner table or an angiography table. 
• Contrast Injection: The iomeprol contrast agent will be prepared in a sterile container and injected into the IV line. The rate of injection and the total amount of contrast used depend on the specific imaging procedure and the patient’s characteristics. 
• Monitoring: Healthcare providers will closely monitor the patient’s vital signs and any potential reactions to the contrast agent throughout the procedure. This is especially important during the first minutes after the injection, as allergic reactions can occur. 
• Imaging: Once the contrast agent has been administered, the medical imaging procedure (e.g., CT scan, angiogram) will begin. The contrast-enhanced images will help visualize blood vessels, tissues, and organs more clearly than without the contrast agent. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: iomeprol 

Pronounced as: i-ome-prol 

Why do we use iomeprol? 

• Better Detection and Diagnosis: In many cases, certain medical conditions, abnormalities, and diseases might not be clearly visible in standard medical images. iomeprol-enhanced imaging can make these structures or abnormalities more apparent, allowing doctors to identify and diagnose issues that might otherwise be difficult to see. 
• Vascular Imaging: iomeprol is often used in angiography procedures to visualize blood vessels, arteries, and veins. This is particularly useful for diagnosing conditions such as vascular blockages, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. 
• Tumor Detection: The enhanced contrast provided by iomeprol can also help detect and characterize cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. Doctors can gather valuable information about their size, location, and characteristics by highlighting the blood supply to tumors. 
• Trauma Assessment: In cases of trauma or injury, iomeprol-enhanced imaging can help identify internal bleeding, blood vessel damage, and other injuries that might be difficult to diagnose solely based on standard imaging.