Gadodiamide, sold under the brand name Omniscan, is a

gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent MRI contrast agents are contrast agents used to improve the visibility of internal body structures in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most commonly used compounds for contrast enhancement are gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Suc ...

(GBCA), used in

magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to generate pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes inside the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and ...

(MRI) procedures to assist in the visualization of blood vessels.

Medical uses

Gadodiamide is a contrast medium used for cranial and spinal

(MRI) and for general MRI of the body after intravenous administration. It provides contrast enhancement and facilitates visualisation of abnormal structures or lesions in various parts of the body including the

central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain, spinal cord and retina. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity o ...

(CNS). It crosses intact the blood brain barrier.

Adverse effects

Gadodiamide is one of the main GBCA associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a toxic reaction occurring in some people with

kidney problems Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels. Kidney fa ...

. No cases have been seen in people with normal kidney function. A 2015 study found

gadolinium Gadolinium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Gd and atomic number 64. It is a silvery-white metal when oxidation is removed. Gadolinium is a malleable and ductile rare-earth element. It reacts with atmospheric oxygen or moi ...

deposited in the brain tissue of people who had received gadodiamide. Other studies using

post-mortem An autopsy (also referred to as post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death ...

mass spectrometry Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that is used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The results are presented as a ''mass spectrum'', a plot of intensity as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. Mass spectrometry is used ...

found most of the deposit remained at least 2 years after an injection and deposit also in individuals with no kidney issues.

In vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning ''in glass'', or ''in the glass'') Research, studies are performed with Cell (biology), cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in ...

studies found it to be

neurotoxic Neurotoxicity is a form of toxicity in which a biological, chemical, or physical agent produces an adverse effect on the structure or function of the central and/or peripheral nervous system. It occurs when exposure to a substance – specifical ...

. An Italian task force recommended that breastfeeding mothers precautionally avoid any

contrast agent A contrast agent (or contrast medium) is a substance used to increase the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging. Contrast agents absorb or alter external electromagnetism or ultrasound, which is different from radiop ...

, such as gadodiamide, that has been associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Like other gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), gadodiamide may cause a range of adverse reactions. The most common include mild symptoms such as nausea, headache, or injection site discomfort. However, rare but serious reactions have been reported.

Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis

Gadodiamide can cause severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis—a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention and treatment with epinephrine (adrenaline). Post-marketing surveillance and case studies have documented such events in patients who received gadodiamide. Data from the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) also list anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions among the reported adverse effects associated with gadodiamide. Patients with a known history of allergic reactions to contrast media or other drugs should inform their healthcare provider before undergoing imaging studies with gadodiamide. In high-risk individuals, premedication and pre-screening protocols may be considered to mitigate the risk of severe reactions.

Society and culture

Gadodiamide was suspended along with gadopentetic acid (Magnevist) by the

European Medicines Agency The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) in charge of the evaluation and supervision of pharmaceutical products. Prior to 2004, it was known as the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products ...

in 2017.

References

{{Portal bar , Medicine MRI contrast agents Organogadolinium compounds Withdrawn drugs