iomeprol at a glance
Medicine class
Non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast agent
Usual role
Enhances CT and CT angiography images
Administration
Injected by a radiology professional
After injection
Observation is required because serious immediate reactions usually occur early
What is iomeprol used for?
The selected UK product is licensed as an X-ray contrast agent for:
Enhancement of CT images
CT angiography to show blood vessels more clearly
How does iomeprol work?
The iodine in iomeprol absorbs X-rays more strongly than surrounding tissues. This temporarily increases contrast on CT images and helps distinguish blood vessels and selected tissues.
How to take iomeprol
Iomeprol is not routinely taken at home. Trained radiology staff inject it, usually through a cannula, during the scan. Follow your appointment instructions and tell staff about kidney or thyroid problems, diabetes, asthma, allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding and previous contrast reactions.
A brief warm sensation or unusual taste may occur.
Remain for the requested observation period.
Tell staff immediately about pain or swelling around the injection site.
iomeprol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Feeling hot or warm during or shortly after injection
- Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, itching, hives, skin redness, or injection-site warmth and pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, throat or facial swelling, severe wheezing, low blood pressure, collapse or loss of consciousness
- Sudden confusion, seizures, visual disturbance, weakness or other signs of contrast-induced encephalopathy
- Markedly reduced urine output or other signs of acute kidney injury
- Widespread rash with blistering or peeling skin, fever, or mouth or eye involvement
iomeprol in pregnancy
Human pregnancy safety data are limited. The selected product should be avoided unless the imaging benefit outweighs the risks and no safer suitable alternative is available. Thyroid monitoring is recommended for a newborn exposed before birth.
iomeprol while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding does not normally need to be interrupted. Transfer into milk and absorption by a healthy, full-term infant are expected to be very low. Seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell.
iomeprol interactions
Give the imaging team a complete medicine list. Important considerations include:
Metformin
Kidney impairment after intravascular contrast could cause accumulation and lactic acidosis; the clinical team should manage renal function and any temporary interruption.
Beta-blockers
May increase concern about bronchospasm and make a severe contrast reaction harder to treat.
Diuretics and ACE inhibitors
May be associated with a higher risk of adverse reactions, particularly with cardiovascular or renal disease.
Common questions about iomeprol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is iomeprol used for?
It makes selected tissues and blood vessels clearer on CT images, including CT angiography.
How is iomeprol given?
A trained radiology professional injects it, commonly through a cannula.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.