Iopromide

Iopromide is a contrast agent injected into your veins to make certain organs much more visible to x-rays and other imaging procedures like computerized tomography (CT) scan, angiography in the lungs, brain, peripheral circulation, heart, and aorta. 

Iopromide is an organic iodine compound that blocks x-rays. Therefore, it makes vascular structures show up in x-ray films. Doctors inject Iopromide to diagnose diseases in the body. 

Iopromide is used only with doctor’s instructions. Iopromide is a prescription medication.

Before using Iopromide, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Tell the doctor if you have sensitivities or allergies to iodine and other contrast agents before taking Iopromide. You also need to tell your allergies to other foods (especially seafood), medications and other substances.

Iopromide can be used safely to children at older than two years of age. Iopromide can also be used for elderly patients.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Iopromide. Iopromide is an FDA pregnancy category B drug, which makes it relatively safe to pregnant patients. Do not breastfeed after taking Iopromide.

Make sure to tell all the medications you take. Iopromide may interact with certain medications and cause undesirable effects. Alert your doctor if you take medications especially the following:

• Metformin
• Aldesleukin
• Iocetamic acid
• Iopanic acid
• Ipodate
• Tyropanoate Sodium

Make sure to tell all your health problems before taking Iopromide. You need to tell the doctor if you have these health conditions:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Hay fever
• Allergy to any contrast agent or Iopromide
• Allergy to iodine
• Asthma, which may be worsened by taking Iopromide
• Health conditions caused by blood clots, like  phlebitis and thrombosis
• Problems in the heart and blood vessels
• Congestive heart failure
• Dehydration
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease. Conditions in the kidney may slow down removal of Iopromide in the body
• Multiple myeloma or cancer in the bone
• Paraproteinemia. Iopromide may cause increased risk of kidney failure in patients with Paraproteinemia
• Dehydration
• Homocystinuria. Angiography may increase risk of blood clotting problems in patients with homocystinuria

To use Iopromide properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Iopromide is an injectable medicine and is given only by a health professional. The doctor will determine your dose based on the imaging procedure. 

Usually, the doctor will ask you to drink plenty of fluids before and after taking Iopromide. 

Iopromide is injected into a vein. It is given before the procedure. You can only receive Iopromide in a clinic or hospital. 

Because a health professional will give you Iopromide and it is given only once at a time, overdosing or missing a dose is highly unlikely.

Before using Iopromide, there are some precautions you must take.

The doctor will monitor you for some time after you receive Iopromide. Make sure to tell anything untoward symptom to the doctor and maintain open communication. 

Iopromide may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can result in death if not addressed early. Tell the doctor immediately if you have symptoms like breathing difficulties, hives, itching, skin rash, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids before and after taking Iopromide. This helps eliminate the medication and avoid problems in the kidneys. Ask the doctor for the amount of fluids you need to take daily.

Be on guard for kidney problems, especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney issues. Symptoms include agitation, confusion, reduced urine output, dizziness, headache, twitching of muscles, rapid weight gain and swelling of the face, limbs or hands.

If you receive care from another doctor, a dentist or will undergo lab tests, make sure they know you took Iopramide. 

Do not take any other medication without asking the doctor first. This includes over-the-counter medications, herbal preparations or supplements.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Iopromide.

Tell the doctor if you experience the following after taking Iopromide:

• Bleeding 
• Blistering, burning, coldness or discoloration of the skin
• Sensation of pressure, hives and itching
• Numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, ulceration, warmth swelling or tenderness at the injection site
• Chest pain
• Sensation of lightheadedness or fainting
• Feeling of warmth or heat
• Flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• Increased or frequent urge to urinate
• Headache
• Unusual sweating
• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs or feet
• Bluish color of the lips or skin
• Chest tightness
• Seizures
• Coughing
• Reduced amount of urine 
• Painful or difficulties in urination
• Passing out pink or grossly bloody urine
• Difficulty breathing
• Excess thirst
• Fever or chills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Noisy breathing
• Expectorating pink frothy sputum
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaws or back
• Pale skin at the injection site
• Irregular heart rate
• Tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual changes in body weight
• Bluish lips or fingernails
• Difficulty swallowing 
• Sore throat
• Dilation of veins in the neck
• Pain in the joints or muscles
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the lower back or flanks
• Redness or irritation of the eyes
• Puffiness of skin around the eyes, face or lips 
• Appearance of red-colored skin lesions, often having a purple center
• Sensitivity to heat
• Appearance of sores, wounds or white spots on the mouth or lips
• Insomnia

These side effects are not harmful, but may happen after taking Iopromide:

• Unusual changes or loss of taste
• Minimal abdominal discomfort 
• Hyperacidity of the stomach
• Belching or passing out gas
• Body aches or pain
• Momentary sensation of ‘pins-and-needles.' 
• Difficulty moving
• Dryness of the mouth
• Jerkiness or excessive muscle tone
• General feeling of illness
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of energy
• Muscle tension or tightness
• Tenderness or swelling of the glands in the neck