Cholecystographic agent (Oral)
Class Name: cholecystographic agent (Oral route)
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Bar-Test
- Entero VU
- E-Z-Cat Dry
- E-Z-Disk
- E-Z-HD
- Gastrografin
- Hypaque Sodium
- Kruschen Salts
- MD-Gastroview
- Ocu-Disal
- Omnipaque 12
- Omnipaque 9
- Oraltag
- Perchloracap
- Readi-Cat 2
- Readi-Cat 2 Smoothie
- Tagitol V
- Varibar
- Varibar Pudding
- Volumen
In Canada
- Acb
- Baro-Cat
- Colobar-100
- Epi-C
- Epi-Stat
- Esobar
- Esopho-Cat Esophageal Cream
- E-Z-Cat
- E-Z-Hd
- E-Z-Jug
- E-Z-Paque
- Gel-Unix 10
Available Dosage Forms:
- Suspension
- Cream
- Tablet
- Paste
- Powder for Suspension
- Solution
Uses for this Medicine
Oral cholecystographic agents are radiopaque agents. Radiopaque agents are drugs used to help diagnose certain medical problems. These agents contain iodine, which blocks x-rays. Depending on how the radiopaque agent is given, it localizes or builds up in certain areas of the body. When radiopaque agents are inside the body they will appear white on the x-ray film. This creates the needed distinction, or contrast, between one organ and other tissues. This will help the doctor see any special conditions that may exist in that organ or part of the body.
The oral cholecystographic agents are taken by mouth before x-ray tests to help check for problems of the gallbladder and the biliary tract.
These radiopaque agents are to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Ipodate was discontinued by the United States manufacturer in 1999.
Before using this Medicine
In deciding to receive a diagnostic test, the risks of taking the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For these tests, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Although there is no specific information comparing use of cholecystographic agents in children with use in other age groups, tests using iopanoic acid in children have not shown that these agents cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in adults.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of cholecystographic agents in the elderly with use in other age groups, these agents are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.
Pregnancy
Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in humans with any of these agents. Studies in animals have been done only with iocetamic acid, which has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems. However, on rare occasions, other radiopaque agents containing iodine have caused hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in the baby when given in late pregnanc...
