Iopentol
Iopentol is a pharmaceutical drug that was used as a radiocontrast agent for X-ray imaging in Europe.
Medical uses
Uses included arteriography, venography and CT scan enhancement, urography, arthrography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, hysterosalpingography, and gastrointestinal studies.It can be injected into blood vessels or body cavities or given by mouth.
Contraindications
Hysterosalpingography is contraindicated during acute inflammation in the pelvic region.Adverse effects
Adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, as well as low or high blood pressure or heart rate. Allergy-like reactions such as rashes are usually mild; glottal edema, shock and cardiac arrest are rare.Interactions
Iodine-131, a radioactive isotope used for thyroid imaging and therapy of thyroid cancers, can be less effective when used within two to six weeks after application of iopentol because of residual iodine in the body.Pharmacology
Chemistry and mechanism of action
Iopentol is an iodine-containing, water-soluble radiocontrast agent. The iodine atoms readily absorb X-rays, resulting in a higher contrast of X-ray images. It has a low osmolality, meaning that the solution has a relatively low concentration of molecules; this is usually associated with fewer adverse effects than high-osmolality contrast agents.A phase III clinical trial concluded that iopentol produces images of a similarly high quality as iohexol, and that it is equally well tolerated by patients.