HOW DO GADOLINIUM-CONTAINING CONTRAST AGENTS WORK?
Gadolinium-containing contrast agents are contrast agents used during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. They utilize a rare, silvery-white earth metal called gadolinium.
Gadolinium has powerful magnetic properties that are important for MRI enhancement. During an MRI examination, a temporary magnetic field is created inside a person’s body. Gadolinium-containing contrast agents enhance the MRI image quality for tissue differentiation in disease diagnosis.
HOW ARE GADOLINIUM-CONTAINING CONTRAST AGENTS USED?
Gadolinium-containing contrast agents are used for identifying:
- Tumors
- Abnormalities in the brain and spine
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF GADOLINIUM-CONTAINING CONTRAST AGENTS?
An injection of gadolinium-containing contrast agents may cause the following side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Flushing sensation
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Altered sense of taste
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Increased sweating
- Increased blood pressure
- Palpitations
- Itching
- Drooling
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Oral discomfort
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF GADOLINIUM-CONTAINING CONTRAST AGENTS?
Generic and brand names of gadolinium-containing contrast agents include:
- Clariscan
- Dotarem
- Eovist
- Gadavist
- Gadobenate
- Gadobutrol
- Gadodiamide
- Gadopentetate
- Gadoterate meglumine
- Gadoteridol
- Gadoversetamide
- Gadoxetate
- Gadoxetic Acid
- Magnevist
- MultiHance
- Omniscan
- OptiMARK
- ProHance
