Metrizoic acid is a

pharmaceutical drug Medication (also called medicament, medicine, pharmaceutical drug, medicinal product, medicinal drug or simply drug) is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Drug therapy ( pharmacotherapy) is an important part of the ...

that was used as an

iodinated contrast Iodinated contrast is a form of water-soluble, intravenous radiocontrast agent containing iodine, which enhances the visibility of vascular structures and organs during radiography, radiographic procedures. Some pathologies, such as cancer, have p ...

medium for

X-ray imaging Radiography is an imaging technology, imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical ("diagnostic" radiog ...

. Its uses included

angiography Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers. Modern angiography is perfo ...

(imaging of blood vessels and

heart chamber The heart is a muscular organ found in humans and other animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels. The heart and blood vessels together make the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissue ...

s) and

urography Pyelogram (or pyelography or urography) is a form of imaging of the renal pelvis and ureter. Types include: * Intravenous pyelogram – In which a contrast solution is introduced through a vein into the circulatory system. * Retrograde pyelogra ...

(imaging of the

urinary tract The human urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra. The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressu ...

), but it has been discontinued, at least in the US. It was used in form of its salts, metrizoates. Due to its high

osmolality In chemistry, molality is a measure of the amount of solute in a solution relative to a given mass of solvent. This contrasts with the definition of ''molarity'' which is based on a given volume of solution. A commonly used unit for molality is ...

, metrizoic acid had a risk of inducing allergic reactions higher than that of lower osmolar contrast media.

Chemistry

The iodine content of metrizoate ranged from 370 mg/ml to 440 mg/ml, with osmolarity has high as 2100 mOsm/kg. The viscosity is 3.4 cP at 37 degree Celsius (human body temperature).

Adverse effects

Side effects of metrizoate are: urticaria, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension. Other side effects include minor electrocardiographic changes such as tachycardia, bradycardia, and inversion of T waves.

References

Benzoic acids Iodobenzene derivatives Radiocontrast agents Acetanilides {{pharmacology-stub