Diatrizoate is a contrast medium used for imaging analysis to study the gastrointestinal tract and in a wide range of diagnostic techniques, such as angiography, urography, colangiography, and CT. It is especially useful for analysis of the digestive tract in patients allergic to barium.
What is Diatrizoate?
Diatrizoate is a compound containing iodine. The latter is able to block the X-rays and displays the accumulation of Diatrizoate through radiographic techniques.
How should Diatrizoate be taken?
Typically, Diatrizoate is administered in the form of aqueous solutions directly into a vein, but depending on the exam it can also be injected into the arteries, the spine, the abdomen or in other body cavities. It can also be administered orally or rectally.
Side effects associated with Diatrizoate
Among the possible adverse effects are included:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Rash
- Itchy skin
- Stomach ache
You should immediately contact a doctor if taking Diatrizoate triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Urticaria
- Itchy skin
- Ddifficult breathing
- Chest tightness
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
- Rapid heartbeat
- Headache
- Heat sensitivity
- Weight loss
- Nervousness
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Dizziness
- Changes in the amount of produced urine
- Throat swelling
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Diatrizoate
Diatrizoate can increase some tests results.
Moreover, before starting the treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance , its ingredients, other drugs (in particular to other contrast agents) or food
- You are taking other medications, herbal supplements and assumptions, in particular thyroid medication, iodine-based products, antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors
- You suffer (or have suffered) from thyroid or stomach problems
- You have been on a recent diet
- You have been exposed to recent emotional stress
- You are planning or you have recently undergone sufficient analysis with administration of Diatrizoate
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
