Gadoxetate (Injection)

Introduction:

Gadoxetate (gad-OX-e-tate)

Used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Helps your doctor to see images of your liver. This medicine is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA).

Brand Name(s):

Eovist

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins just before you have an MRI scan.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using rifampicin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, or a history of an allergic reaction to any contrast agent.
• Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you had a liver transplant recently or if you are going to have a transplant. The risk of having a very serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is increased in patients with severe kidney disease. Even if you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may decide that it is still important to use this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have burning or itching of the skin; red or dark patches on the skin; skin swelling, hardening, or tightening; joint stiffness; limited range of motion in the arms and legs; pain that is deep in the hip bone or ribs; or muscle weakness after you get the injection. These may be symptoms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.
• This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you have cold clammy skin; confusion; dizziness; lightheadedness; a skin rash; itching; sweating; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble with breathing; or chest pain after you get the injection.
• 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.
• Cold feeling, confusion, restlessness, or increased salivation.
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse.
• Muscle stiffness or weakness, stiff joints or trouble moving, or deep bone pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Shortness of breath.
• Skin rash, swelling, hardness, tightness, burning, itching, or red or dark patches.

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

• Back pain.
• Change or loss of taste in your mouth.
• Dry mouth.
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings.
• Headache.
• Increased sweating.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• 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: