“Can you be allergic to IV contrast?”
I am an 18 year old female who will have an IV contrast for the first time. Can you be allergic to IV contrast?
7 Answers
Yes you can have allergies to the CT contrast usually related to the iodine in the contrast. Interestingly, someone who has had a previous allergic reaction to the contrast may not the next time they are given the contrast. Conversely a patient who had a previous CT scan with contrast and didn't have an allergic reaction doesn't guarantee they wont have a reaction the next time they are given the iv contrast.
Yes. It’s possible. You will be monitored and can be treated if needed.
Yes you can. But unless you have had it prior, it is impossible to know if you will have an allergic reaction. However, contrast reaction is rare.
Dr Cox
Dr Cox
Yes. Allergy to contrast can be mild with itching associated with regional hives, moderate with whole body hives, severe with angioedema and bronchospasm associated with acute respiratory failure. Allergic reactions to contrast are much more rare with the newer nonionic contrast agents. Rarely, the contrast can cause noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, mechanism poorly understood, but the process damages the basement membrane in the lungs allowing leakage of fluid from the blood filled capillaries in the lung into the alveoli or air sacs in the lung. Side effects of contrast include nausea and vomiting also much more rare with the newer contrast agents. Let the imaging facility and your doctor know in advance if you have had a prior a prior reaction to contrast specifically when and details of the type of contrast reaction. There are ways to pre-medicate if contrast is necessary and there has been a prior contrast reaction.
Thank you for your question. Yes, one can have an allergic reaction to IV contrast. This will be explained to you before it is administered. Ask all of the question that are pertaining to you and your health before giving consent.
It is possible, but generally the risk of reaction is low to IV contrast. They have developed safer forms of contrast over the last several decades.
Yes, but with new agents, it is rare, and we are trained to recognize and treat any reaction.
