What is the most important information I should know about gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Gadopentetate dimeglumine can cause a life-threatening condition in people with advanced kidney disease. You should not receive this medication if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis.
What is gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Gadopentetate dimeglumine is a contrast agent that produces magnetic effects. It is used in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to allow blood vessels, organs, and other non-bony tissues to be seen more clearly on the MRI.
Gadopentetate dimeglumine is used to help diagnose certain disorders of the brain, blood vessels, and spin (central nervous system).
Gadopentetate dimeglumine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Gadopentetate dimeglumine can cause a life-threatening condition in people with advanced kidney disease. You should not receive this medication if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis.
Gadopentetate dimeglumine can stay in your body for months or years after you receive this medicine. It is not known whether this could cause any health problems in people whose kidneys work properly. Tell your doctor if you have had repeated scans with a contrast agent, and provide the date of your last scan.
You should not receive gadopentetate dimeglumine if you are allergic to it.
To make sure gadopentetate dimeglumine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- any type of reaction to a contrast agent;
- diabetes;
- high blood pressure;
- liver disease;
- asthma, hay fever, food or drug allergies;
- an injury, surgery, or severe infection; or
- if you are over 60 years old.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether gadopentetate dimeglumine passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
How is gadopentetate dimeglumine used?
Gadopentetate dimeglumine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting during your MRI.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when gadopentetate dimeglumine is injected.
Your doctor or other healthcare provider may want to watch you for a short time after your test is over. This is to make sure you do not have any unwanted side effects or delayed reactions.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since gadopentetate dimeglumine is used only during your MRI, you will not be on a dosing schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid after receiving gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some side effects of gadopentetate dimeglumine may occur up to several days after injection.
Gadopentetate dimeglumine can cause a life-threatening condition in people with advanced kidney disease. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of this condition, such as:
- burning, itching, swelling, scaling, and tightening or hardening of your skin;
- muscle weakness;
- joint stiffness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
- deep bone pain in your ribs or your hips;
- trouble moving; or
- skin redness or discoloration.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
-
kidney problems --little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath; or
- swelling, bruising, redness, itching, burning, or skin changes where the injection was given.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness;
- nausea;
- cold feeling, warmth, pain, or burning where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect gadopentetate dimeglumine?
Other drugs may interact with gadopentetate dimeglumine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about gadopentetate dimeglumine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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