Gastrografin
Generic name: Diatrizoate Meglumine and Diatrizoate Sodium [ dye-a-tri-ZOE-ate-MEG-loo-meen-& dye-a-tri-ZOE-ate-SOW-dee-um ]
Brand names: Gastrografin, MD-76 R, MD-Gastroview
Drug class: Ionic iodinated contrast media
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 5, 2024.
Warning
Injection:- This medicine must not be given into the spine.
Uses of Gastrografin:
- It is used before an x-ray or an alike test.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Gastrografin?
All products:
- If you are allergic to Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium); any part of Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are dehydrated, have been eating poorly, or have used a laxative or water pill before Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium).
- If you have had a skin reaction to Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) or another drug like it in the past.
- If you are taking metformin.
Oral liquid:
- If you have a health problem that connects the windpipe (trachea) to the swallowing tube (esophagus) called esophagotracheal fistula.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium).
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Gastrografin?
All products:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
- Thyroid problems have happened after use of Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium). Some people had to be treated for these thyroid problems. Talk with the doctor.
- A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If you have sickle cell disease, talk with your doctor.
- Your blood work may need to be checked. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium).
- If you are 65 or older, use Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) with care. You could have more side effects.
- Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
Injection:
- Health problems like blood clots have happened with Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) when used with some procedures. Sometimes, blood clots may cause heart attack and stroke, which may be deadly. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- Very bad health problems, paralysis, and death have happened when contrast has been given into blood vessels in the spinal cord. Talk with the doctor.
- Seizures and death have happened when contrast has been given to people with bleeding in the brain. Talk with the doctor.
- Very bad kidney problems and sometimes death have happened when contrast has been given to people with multiple myeloma. Talk with the doctor.
How is this medicine (Gastrografin) best taken?
Use Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- You will need to be sure that you are not dehydrated before getting Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium). Check with your doctor to see if you need to drink extra fluids before getting Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium).
- Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids after using Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
Injection:
- It is given as a shot.
- Other drugs may be given before Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) to help avoid side effects.
Liquid:
- It may be given by mouth or given rectally.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
Injection:
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Seizures.
- Very bad headache.
- Feeling agitated.
- Feeling confused.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Blue or gray skin color.
- Pain where the shot was given.
This medicine may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.
Related/similar drugs
glucagon, Lexiscan, mannitol, arginine, Ceretec
What are some other side effects of Gastrografin?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
All products:
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
Injection:
- Flushing.
- Feeling of warmth.
All other liquid products:
Rectal:
- Rectal irritation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Gastrografin?
- If you need to store Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
More about Gastrografin (diatrizoate)
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- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Drug class: ionic iodinated contrast media
- Breastfeeding
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.