Diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (Intravenous)

Introduction:

Diatrizoate Meglumine (dye-a-trye-ZOE-ate ME-gloo-meen), Diatrizoate Sodium (dye-a-trye-ZOE-ate SOE-dee-um)

Used for special X-rays or CT scans to make parts of your body show up better during the test. This medicine is a contrast dye.

Brand Name(s):

Renocal-76, Renografin-60

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how it will be given. This medicine can be given in different ways, depending on what part of your body the doctor needs to see. This medicine might be given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You will be given this medicine right before your X-ray or CT scan is performed.
• Ask your doctor if you need to drink extra water before or after the test.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, or if you have ever had a stroke. Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, an infection, multiple myeloma (a blood cell cancer), or pheochromocytoma (a tumor on the adrenal gland).
• Tell your doctor if you also have high blood pressure, blood vessel disease, or congestive heart failure (CHF) or other heart disease. It is also important for your doctor to know if you have blood clotting problems or other blood diseases, including sickle cell disease.
• Tell your doctor and the person who does the test if you are allergic to iodine, or if you have asthma or any type of allergy. This includes hay fever, drug allergy, and food allergy.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have recently been given any other type of contrast dye.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

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.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Fast or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever or chills.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Pale skin and blue lips or fingernails.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Trouble urinating.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.

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

• Agitation, confusion, or increased sweating.
• Change in taste.
• Mild burning, stinging, pain, or numbness when the dye is injected.
• Mild pain or swelling where the needle was placed.
• Muscle cramps or tremors.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Skin rash, itching, or redness.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
• Weakness.

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