Iodixanol Explained

Iodixanol, sold under the brand name Visipaque, is an iodine-containing non-ionic radiocontrast agent.^[1]

It is available as a generic medication.^{[2] [3]}

Medical uses

The radiocontrast agent is given intravenously for computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head, body, excretory urography and venography. The radiocontrast agent is also given intra-arterially for angiography imaging.

Adverse effects

About 30% of those received intravenous iodixanol injection has warmth, pain, or discomfort at the site of the injection. Other adverse effects include: taste perversion (3.5%), nausea (2.8%), and headache (2.5%).^[4]

Society and culture

Available forms

The contrast can either be given intra-arterialy or intravenously.^[4]

Veterinary uses

Iodixanol is also the active ingredient in a number of 'cushion' products used during the centrifugation of stallion semen. It is layered underneath the extended stallion semen allowing for a higher g force to be used with less sperm damage and better recovery rates. Post centrifugation the supernatant above and the cushion below is removed, leaving a concentrated sperm pellet in the conical tube.^[5]

External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20160825063320/http://www.cosmobiousa.com/axis-shield-density-gradient-optiprep.html
• http://www3.gehealthcare.com/en/products/categories/contrast_media/visipaque
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110927141156/http://www.gehealthcare.com/caen/md/docs/visipaquepieng.pdf

Notes and References

1. Spencer CM, Goa KL . Iodixanol. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and diagnostic use as an x-ray contrast medium . Drugs . 52 . 6 . 899–927 . December 1996 . 8957160 . 10.2165/00003495-199652060-00013 . 195690679 .
2. Web site: 2022 First Generic Drug Approvals . U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . 3 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630003602/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-and-biologic-approval-and-ind-activity-reports/2022-first-generic-drug-approvals . 30 June 2023 . live . 30 June 2023.
3. Web site: Competitive Generic Therapy Approvals . U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . 29 June 2023 . 29 June 2023 . 29 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629233651/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/competitive-generic-therapy-approvals . live .
4. Web site: Visipaque (iodixanol injection) . US Food and Drug Administration . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408084623/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2003/20351slr013_visipaque_lbl.pdf . 8 April 2022 . 1 September 2008.
5. Waite JA, Love CC, Brinsko SP, Teague SR, Salazar JL, Mancill SS, Varner DD . Factors impacting equine sperm recovery rate and quality following cushioned centrifugation . Theriogenology . 70 . 4 . 704–14 . September 2008 . 18573520 . 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.047 .