gadoxetic acid, disodium at a glance
Medicine class
Liver-specific paramagnetic MRI contrast agent
Administration
Injected into a vein by the imaging team immediately before MRI
After injection
Observation for at least 30 minutes is recommended because most immediate reactions occur during this period
What is gadoxetic acid, disodium used for?
Used during T1-weighted liver MRI when essential information cannot be obtained from unenhanced MRI and delayed-phase imaging is needed.
Detecting focal liver lesions.
Providing information about their characteristics.
How does gadoxetic acid, disodium work?
Its gadolinium component increases contrast on T1-weighted MRI. Functioning liver cells selectively take it up and excrete it into bile, so areas with little or no functioning liver-cell activity may appear different from surrounding tissue.
How to take gadoxetic acid, disodium
This is not taken at home. A trained professional injects the ready-to-use, undiluted solution into a vein and flushes the line with saline. Beforehand, tell the team about kidney disease, recent or planned liver transplantation, allergies, asthma, previous contrast reactions, heart-rhythm problems, pregnancy, breastfeeding, implants or metal in your body.
Follow your imaging department's preparation instructions.
Remain for the recommended observation period.
Report pain, burning or swelling around the injection site promptly.
gadoxetic acid, disodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergy-like reaction, including breathing difficulty, low blood pressure, hives or swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- Severe respiratory distress
- Significant chest pain, faintness or a marked heartbeat disturbance
- Persistent injection-site pain or swelling, which may indicate leakage into surrounding tissue
gadoxetic acid, disodium in pregnancy
It crosses the placenta, and information about use during pregnancy is limited. It should not be used unless clinical need makes contrast-enhanced imaging necessary. Tell the imaging team if you are or could be pregnant.
gadoxetic acid, disodium while breastfeeding
Only very small amounts enter breast milk, and little is expected to be absorbed by the infant. Broader UK specialist guidance says breastfeeding usually need not be interrupted after commonly used gadolinium contrast agents, while the product information advises deciding with the doctor whether to continue or briefly pause. Seek specialist advice for premature or unwell infants.
gadoxetic acid, disodium interactions
Give the imaging team a complete medicines list.
Potent OATP transporter inhibitors, including rifampicin
May reduce liver uptake and weaken hepatic contrast, although the clinical importance is unknown.
Beta-blockers
May intensify hypersensitivity reactions and reduce response to beta-agonist rescue treatment.
Medicines that prolong cardiac repolarisation, including amiodarone and sotalol
Extra caution is required because the contrast agent can transiently prolong the QT interval in some people.
Common questions about gadoxetic acid, disodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it be used with kidney disease?
Kidney function should be checked. Use should generally be avoided in severe renal impairment unless essential diagnostic information is unavailable without contrast.
Can it cause an allergic reaction?
Yes. Severe allergy-like reactions are rare but can occur immediately or, less commonly, hours to days later.
Is it radioactive?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.