Health Library

Iohexol (By injection)

Iohexol (eye-oh-HEX-ol)

Used to help create pictures of the body during a medical imaging procedure.

Brand Name(s):

Omnipaque 140, Omnipaque 180, Omnipaque 240, Omnipaque 300, Omnipaque 350

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A doctor or other health professional will give you this medicine before the imaging procedure. It is usually given as a shot into a vein, into your back, into a joint, or other parts of your body.
• Drink plenty of fluids before and after receiving this medicine as a shot so you will pass more urine. This may help prevent kidney problems.
• You may also receive other medicines (including allergy medicine, steroids) to help prevent allergic reactions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how iohexol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Metformin
  • Blood pressure medicine, including beta-blockers
  • Medicine to treat depression or other mental problems (including an MAO inhibitor, TCAs)
  • Phenothiazine medicine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor may tell you to pump and throw away your breast milk for at least 10 hours after receiving this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal problems (including pheochromocytoma), sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma, congestive heart failure, diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, or if you have a history of asthma.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
  • Kidney problems
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in children 3 years of age and younger
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
• You will be exposed to radiation while you receive this medicine. If you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Back pain, neck pain or stiffness
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, nausea, vomiting, unusual sweating
• Constipation, depression, feeling cold, muscle cramps and stiffness, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fast or shallow breathing
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg or on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg
• Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
• Pale skin, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Seizures, drowsiness
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change in taste
• Diarrhea, passing gas, stomach pain
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024