Indications
Gadodiamide is a gadolinium-based contrast agent used during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. It makes the brain, spine and other body tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly, helping doctors find problems such as tumours, inflammation or damage to the blood-brain barrier.
How It Works
Gadolinium is a metal with magnetic properties. Inside the MRI scanner, it changes how nearby water molecules respond to the magnetic field, which makes areas where the contrast collects appear brighter on the images. Gadodiamide stays in the blood and tissue fluid and is removed unchanged by the kidneys, mostly within 24 hours.
Dosage and Administration
Gadodiamide is injected into a vein by a doctor, nurse or radiographer in the scanning department, just before or during the MRI scan. The dose is calculated from body weight and the type of scan, as prescribed. You will be watched for a short time after the injection.
Interactions
- No important drug interactions are known.
- Gadodiamide can falsely lower blood calcium results measured by some laboratory methods for a short time after the scan; tell the laboratory you had contrast.
- Beta blockers may make an allergic reaction harder to treat; tell the radiology team about all your medicines.
Contraindications
- Previous allergic reaction to Gadodiamide or other gadolinium contrast agents.
- Severe kidney disease or acute kidney injury, and people around the time of a liver transplant, because of the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.
- Newborn babies up to 4 weeks old.
Side Effects
Most people have no side effects. Possible effects include headache, nausea, dizziness, a feeling of warmth or coldness, altered taste and pain at the injection site. Allergic reactions such as itching or hives occasionally occur. In people with severe kidney disease, gadolinium agents can cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a rare serious condition with thickening and hardening of the skin and internal organs. Small amounts of gadolinium may remain in the brain and other tissues; the long-term significance is not known.
Get urgent medical help if you have difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, fainting or a widespread rash after the injection, or if, in the weeks after the scan, you notice swelling, tightening or hardening of the skin, or stiff joints.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Gadolinium contrast is avoided in pregnancy unless the scan is essential and cannot be done without it. During breastfeeding only a tiny amount passes into milk; your doctor may advise whether to pause breastfeeding for 24 hours.
Precautions and Warnings
- Tell the radiology team if you have kidney disease, asthma, allergies, epilepsy or previous reactions to contrast.
- Kidney function may be checked before the scan.
- Drink fluids after the scan unless told otherwise.
Overdose
Overdose is unlikely because the dose is given by health professionals. If too much is given, dialysis can remove the contrast.
Therapeutic Class
MRI contrast agent (linear gadolinium-based).
Storage
Hospital product: store as directed on the pack, usually below 30°C, protected from light, do not freeze.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.