Iodixanol (eye-oh-DIX-a-nol)

Used to help create pictures of the body during a medical imaging procedure.

Brand Name(s):

Visipaque

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given through a needle placed in an artery.
• Drink plenty of fluids before and after receiving this medicine so you will pass more urine. This may help prevent kidney problems.
• You may also receive other medicines (including allergy medicine, steroids) to help prevent allergic reactions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how iodixanol works. Tell your doctor if you are using metformin or blood pressure medicine (including beta-blockers).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, allergies, blood clotting problems, congestive heart failure, diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, adrenal problems (including pheochromocytoma), blood disorders (including paraproteinemia, sickle cell disease), or trouble urinating. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to iodine or any contrast agent. Tell your doctor if you have an inherited disease called homocystinuria.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in children 3 years of age and younger
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
• You will be exposed to radiation while you receive this medicine. If you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody urine, lower back or side pain
• Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, nausea, vomiting, unusual sweating
• Constipation, depression, feeling cold, muscle cramps and stiffness, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg or on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg
• Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change or loss of taste

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088