Gadoxetate (Intravenous)

Overview

Gadoxetate is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agent, which helps to produce a clear image of the body in MRI scans. An MRI scan is a special type of diagnostic procedure. Contrast agents use computers and magnets to produce images (pictures) of some areas in the body. Contrast agents don't involve ionizing radiation, like X-rays.

Gadoxetate is administered by injection prior to MRI to diagnose problems of the liver.

This medication is only given by a doctor or under their direct supervision. It's available as a solution under the Eovist brand name.

Conditions Treated

• MRI of Liver

Type Of Medicine

• Diagnostic agent

Side Effects

Other than its needed effects, Gadoxetate can cause some adverse effects. While not all the effects below may happen, those that occur may need medical care.

See your healthcare provider straight away if you develop any of the side effects listed below:

Rare:

• Headache
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Nervousness
• Tightness in chest
• Dizziness
• Chills
• Blurred vision
• Labored or difficult breathing
• Feeling hot
• Restlessness
• Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Troubled breathing
• Pounding in ears
• Shaking/ trembling of feet or hands
• Shakiness in the feet, legs, or arms
• Need to continue moving
• Inability to relax
• Burning, itching, numbness, crawling, prickling, tingling, or “pins and needles” feelings

Incidence unknown:

• Sweating
• Restlessness
• Lightheadedness
• Fast, weak pulse
• Cold, clammy skin
• Confusion

Some Gadoxetate side effects may happen that normally don't need medical care. These side effects can clear during treatment as you get used to the medication. In addition, your healthcare provider may recommend ways to alleviate or prevent some of the effects. Please see your healthcare provider straight away if you've got questions about any of the side effects below, if they're bothersome, or if they persist.

Rare:

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Back pain
• Change in taste
• Change in smell
• Loss of appetite
• Itching
• Feeling of warmth
• Vomiting
• Sensation of spinning
• Increased sweating
• Unusual tiredness/weakness
• Redness of the arms, neck, face, and sometimes upper chest
• Rash with small elevated or flat lesions on skin
• Increased watering of mouth
• General feeling of illness or discomfort
• Feeling of endless movement of surroundings or self

Bleeding, blistering, coldness, burning, discoloration of skin, hives, feeling of pressure, infection, itching, inflammation, numbness, lumps, rash, pain, redness, soreness, scarring, swelling, stinging, tingling, tenderness, warmth, or ulceration at injection site

Other Gadoxetate side effects not mentioned above may also happen in some people. If you develop any other effects, see your healthcare provider at once.

Also contact your healthcare provider for advice about the above side effects.

Dosage

Gadoxetate is injected via an IV into a vein. You will receive the injection in a hospital or clinic environment during your MRI.

Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any pain, swelling, or burning around the needle of the IV when Gadoxetate is injected.

Your physician and other healthcare professional may want to monitor you briefly after your examination is over. Let any physician who treats you know that you've received Gadoxetate.

Since you will only receive Gadoxetate during your MRI, you won't need a dosing schedule.

Since Gadoxetate is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical environment, an overdose may not occur.

Follow your physician's orders about any limits on drink, food, or activity.

Interactions

Tell your physician if you're also using Rifampin (Rifamate, Rifater, Rifadin).

Gadoxetate can affect the kidneys of some people, and this effect can be worsened if you also take other medications that can harm the kidneys. Prior to receiving Gadoxetate, inform your physician about all other medicines you take. Many other medications (including certain over-the-counter medications) can harm the kidneys.

Gadoxetate can also be affected by other drugs. Don't start using any new medicine without informing your doctor first. This includes over-the-counter, prescription, herbal, and vitamin products.

Certain medications shouldn't be taken around meal times or when eating some kinds of food because interactions may happen. Interactions may also occur if you take alcohol or cigarettes with certain medications. Discuss with your physician the use of Gadoxetate with alcohol, cigarettes, or food.

Warnings

Check with your physician at once if you have itching or burning of the skin, dark or red patches on the skin, joint stiffness, skin tightening, hardness, or swelling, limited scope of motion in legs and arms, muscle weakness, or deep pain in the ribs or hip bone. These may be signs of a severe disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Gadoxetate may bring about a serious kind of allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention and can be life-threatening. Tell your nurse or doctor immediately if you have confusion, dizziness, cold, clammy skin, a skin rash, lightheadedness, sweating, itching, swelling of the throat, tongue, and face, chest pain, or trouble with breathing after you're given Gadoxetate.

Tell your physician promptly if you have burning, mild pain, feeling of coldness or warmth, or redness at injection site.

Ensure that your physician knows you've used Gadoxetate. This medication may interfere with the results of some medical tests (for example, serum iron).

Don't use other medications unless you've discussed them with your physician. This includes over-the-counter or prescription medications, as well as vitamin and herbal supplements.

Gadoxetate may cause a life-threatening problem in persons with advanced kidney problem. This condition has symptoms such as:

• Muscle weakness
• Trouble moving
• Skin discoloration or redness
• Joint stiffness in the legs, feet, or arms
• Severe bone pain in the hips or ribs
• Itching, burning, scaling, swelling, and hardening or tightening of skin

Before receiving Gadoxetate, let your healthcare provider if you're on dialysis or have kidney disease. You may not be fit to get an MRI with this medication. Also inform your healthcare provider if you've taken any contrast agents related to Gadoxetate.

To ensure you can receive Gadoxetate safely, tell your physician if you've got any of these conditions:

• High blood pressure
• Liver disease/liver transplant
• Diabetes
• Heart rhythm disorder
• Anemia/other red blood cell problem
• Family/personal history of the Long QT Syndrome
• Hay fever, asthma, or history of drug/food allergies
• If you're older than 60
• If you've ever had an allergy to any contrast agent
• If you've recently had an operation, severe infection, or injury

It's unknown whether Gadoxetate will affect an unborn child. Tell your physician if you're pregnant before you receive Gadoxetate.

It's unknown whether Gadoxetate gets into human milk or if it may affect a nursing infant. You shouldn't breastfeed for at least ten minutes after receiving this medication. If you breastfeed with a breast pump, throw out any collected milk. Don't give your baby the milk.

Inform your physician if you've ever suffered any allergic or unusual reaction to Gadoxetate or any other medications. Also inform your healthcare provider if you've got any other allergies, like allergies to animals, foods, preservatives, or dyes. For nonprescription medicines, read the package ingredients or label carefully.

Relevant studies done to date haven't shown pediatric-specific issues that would limit the effectiveness of Gadoxetate in kids. Efficacy and safety haven't been determined in premature babies.

Relevant studies done so far haven't shown geriatric-specific issues that would limit the efficacy of Gadoxetate in older adults. However, older adults are highly likely to suffer age-related heart, kidney, or liver disease which may need caution in persons receiving Gadoxetate.

Storage

Keep Gadoxetate at temperatures of between 20-25 degrees Celsius, and excursions are allowed at 15-30 degrees Celsius.

Gadoxetate is a solution that's ready for use and is used only once. Visually inspect the solution for discoloration and particulate matter before use. Don't use the medication if it has particulate matter or it is discolored. You should not pierce the rubber stopper more than once. Please use Gadoxetate immediately after opening. Make sure to discard unused portions.

Summary

Gadoxetate may lead to a life-threatening problem in persons with late-stage kidney disease. This condition has the following symptoms:

• Trouble moving
• Skin discoloration or redness
• Acute bone pain in the hips or ribs
• Joint stiffness in the legs, feet, arms, or hands
• Muscle weakness
• Itching, burning, scaling, swelling, and hardening or burning of skin

Before receiving Gadoxetate, tell your healthcare provider if you're on dialysis or have kidney disease. You might not be in a position to receive this medication. Also tell your healthcare provider if you've recently taken any contrast agents like Gadoxetate.

Also let your physician know if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease/liver transplant, heart rhythm disorder, anemia/other red blood cell condition, family or personal history of the Long QT Syndrome, allergies or asthma, if you've ever had an allergic to any contrast agent, if you're older than 60, or if you've recently suffered an injury, had an operation, or severe infection.

Your doctor as well as other healthcare professional may want to keep an eye on you briefly after your exam is complete. This is to ensure that you don't have any delayed reactions or unwanted side effects.