meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate at a glance
Medicine class
High-osmolar, water-soluble iodinated X-ray contrast agent.
How it is given
Gastrografin is given orally or rectally. Urografin 150 for Infusion is administered by radiology staff for vascular or renal imaging.
Before the procedure
Tell the imaging team about previous contrast reactions, asthma or allergies, thyroid, kidney or heart disease, diabetes and metformin use.
What is meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate used for?
The selected products are licensed for different routes and imaging purposes.
Gastrografin: oral or rectal contrast for radiological examination of the gastrointestinal tract, including suspected narrowing, bleeding, perforation or postoperative leakage, fistulae, megacolon and selected pre-endoscopy investigations.
Gastrografin: abdominal CT contrast and early investigation of certain oesophageal or gastrointestinal perforations or anastomotic defects.
Gastrografin: fluoroscopically controlled treatment of uncomplicated meconium ileus.
Urografin 150 for Infusion: delineation of vascular and renal systems during X-ray examinations.
How does meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate work?
Iodine strongly absorbs X-rays. Amidotrizoate increases contrast between a filled vessel, organ or body cavity and surrounding tissues. It produces an imaging effect rather than treating most underlying conditions. Gastrografin is also highly osmotic, drawing fluid into the bowel and supporting its licensed role in uncomplicated meconium ileus.
How to take meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate
This contrast agent is normally supplied and administered as part of a planned radiology procedure. Follow the imaging department's instructions about eating, drinking and preparation rather than taking it independently.
Gastrografin may be swallowed or administered rectally and may require dilution by healthcare staff. It must not be injected into a blood vessel.
Urografin 150 for Infusion is administered by trained staff, generally with the patient lying down and observed afterwards.
Maintain hydration unless the clinical team has given different instructions; dehydration and electrolyte disturbance increase the risks of these high-osmolar preparations.
Tell the department before the procedure if you take metformin or have kidney, thyroid or heart problems.
meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Gastrografin commonly causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea; abdominal discomfort can also occur.
- Injected Urografin may cause a temporary feeling of warmth, nausea or pain, particularly during peripheral vascular examinations.
- Headache, dizziness, itching, rash, flushing, sweating or fever can occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or severe hypersensitivity with breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, severe low blood pressure or collapse.
- Pulmonary oedema, chemical pneumonia or respiratory failure if undiluted Gastrografin is aspirated.
- Dehydration or electrolyte disturbance; prolonged gastrointestinal retention may rarely damage or perforate the bowel.
- Temporary kidney failure, severe cardiovascular reactions, seizures or other neurological complications after intravascular use.
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reactions.
meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate in pregnancy
Tell the radiology team if you are pregnant or might be pregnant. X-ray examinations should be avoided during pregnancy where possible. Urografin should be used only when the clinician considers the examination necessary, while Gastrografin requires caution. Hysterosalpingography with Urografin is contraindicated during pregnancy. Thyroid monitoring is recommended for exposed newborns, particularly preterm infants, because excess iodine can cause hypothyroidism.
meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding does not normally need to be interrupted after amidotrizoate contrast because milk transfer is negligible or very low and oral absorption by the infant is poor. This applies to full-term, healthy infants; seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell. Gastrografin product information also advises an individual assessment of the benefits of breastfeeding and the procedure.
meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate interactions
Tell the radiology team about all medicines and recent treatments before receiving contrast.
Metformin and other biguanides
If intravascular contrast contributes to renal impairment, biguanide accumulation may increase the risk of lactic acidosis; the team should assess renal function and manage the diabetes medicine around the procedure.
Beta-blockers
They may aggravate hypersensitivity reactions and can complicate their treatment.
Common questions about meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is meglumine amidotrizoate + sodium amidotrizoate used during an X-ray or CT scan?
Its iodine absorbs X-rays, making selected organs, vessels or body cavities easier to distinguish from surrounding tissues.
Can it be swallowed?
Gastrografin can be given orally for licensed gastrointestinal and abdominal imaging. Injectable Urografin is a different formulation and must be administered by trained staff.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.