Sulfur hexafluoride

Generic name: sulfur hexafluoride [ SUL-fur-HEX-a-FLOR-ide ]
Brand name: Lumason
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (-)
Drug class: Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 25, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is sulfur hexafluoride?

Sulfur hexafluoride is a contrast agent that is used to improve the quality of an ultrasound.

Sulfur hexafluoride is used to allow certain segments of the heart, liver, or urinary tract to be seen more clearly on an ultrasound examination.

Sulfur hexafluoride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sulfur hexafluoride side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, skin redness, rash; warmth, numbness, or tingly feeling; trouble breathing, tight feeling in your throat; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, serious or fatal reactions may occur during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• severe dizziness, or a cold sweat;

• chest pain, wheezing, trouble breathing;

• fast or slow heartbeats;

• a seizure;

• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears; or

• slow heart rate, a weak pulse, weak or shallow breathing.

Common side effects of sulfur hexafluoride may include:

• nausea;

• headache;

• altered sense of taste;

• feeling hot; or

• pain or warmth where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

glucagon, mannitol, Lexiscan, Ceretec, arginine, metyrapone

Warnings

In rare cases, serious or fatal reactions may occur during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregivers right away if you feel light-headed or short of breath, or if you have a cold sweat, chest pain, a severe headache, fast or slow heartbeats, or pounding in your neck or ears.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with sulfur hexafluoride if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, such as a heart attack or congestive heart failure;

• a congenital heart defect (especially a condition called "cardiac shunt"); or

• a lung condition that has recently become worse.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is sulfur hexafluoride given?

For examination of the heart or liver, sulfur hexafluoride is given as an infusion into a vein.

For examination of the bladder, sulfur hexafluoride is injected directly into the bladder using a catheter inserted into the urethra (the tube for passing urine out of your bladder).

Your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be watched closely for at least 30 minutes after you receive sulfur hexafluoride. This is to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to the medicine.

Sulfur hexafluoride dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Diagnostic:

For Intravenous Injection:
Echocardiography: 2 mL as an IV injection
Ultrasonography of the liver: 2.4 mL as an IV injection

Comments:
-Reconstitute prior to administration; consult manufacturer product information.
-May repeat dose one time during a single examination.
-Follow each injection with an IV flush of 5 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.
-Avoid intra-arterial injection.

Use:
-To opacify the left ventricular chamber and improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms
-To localize and characterize hepatic focal lesions through ultrasonography

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diagnostic:

For Intravenous Injection:
Echocardiography: 0.03 mL/kg as an IV injection up to a maximum of 2 mL per injection
Ultrasonography of the liver: 0.03 mL/ kg as an IV injection, up to a maximum of 2.4 mL per injection
Ultrasonography of the Urinary Tract: 1 mL after reconstitution (the bladder can be refilled with 0.9% sodium chloride injection for a second cycle of voiding and imaging, without the need of a second dose of this drug.

Comments:
-Reconstitute prior to administration; consult manufacturer product information.
-Follow each injection with an IV flush of 0.9% sodium chloride.
-Avoid intra-arterial injection.

Use:
-To opacify the left ventricular chamber and improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms
-To localize and characterize hepatic focal lesions through ultrasonography
-To evaluate vesicoureteral reflux with ultrasonography in pediatric patients.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since sulfur hexafluoride is given with an ultrasound, sulfur hexafluoride does not have a daily dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving sulfur hexafluoride?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect sulfur hexafluoride?

Other drugs may affect sulfur hexafluoride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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