Visipaque Side Effects

Generic name: iodixanol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 14, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Visipaque Side Effects associated with iodixanol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Visipaque.

Applies to iodixanol: injection solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Injection route (solution)

Not for Intrathecal Use. Inadvertent intrathecal administration may cause death, convulsions/seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, coma, paralysis, arachnoiditis, acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, and brain edema.

Serious side effects of Visipaque

Along with its needed effects, iodixanol (the active ingredient contained in Visipaque) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking iodixanol:

Less common side effects

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain, discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• sweating

Rare side effects

• agitation
• blurred vision
• coma
• confusion
• cough
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty breathing
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• feeling of warmth
• headache
• hostility
• irregular breathing
• irritability
• lethargy
• muscle twitching
• noisy breathing
• rapid weight gain
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• seizures
• severe or sudden headache
• stupor
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden slurring of speech
• swelling of the face, hands, fingers, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• bloating
• chest tightness
• chills
• constipation
• cough
• darkened urine
• depressed mood
• difficulty swallowing
• dry skin and hair
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling cold
• hair loss
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness or husky voice
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps and stiffness
• nervousness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pounding in the ears
• problems with speech or speaking
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• sensitivity to heat
• slow or fast heartbeat
• stopping of the heart
• trouble sleeping
• unconsciousness
• weight gain or loss
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Visipaque

Some side effects of iodixanol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", tingling feeling
• change in taste
• diarrhea
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• itching or skin rash
• sensation of spinning

Rare side effects

• acidic or sour stomach
• anxiety
• belching
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• dry mouth
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hearing loss
• heartburn
• restlessness
• severe sleepiness
• shaking
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• transient, mild, pleasant aromatic odor

Incidence not known

• sneezing

For healthcare professionals

Applies to iodixanol: injectable solution.

General adverse events

Serious reactions as well as fatalities are only seen on very rare occasions. Serious adverse reactions may include acute/chronic renal failure, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid shock, hypersensitivity reaction followed by cardiac reactions (Kounis' syndrome), cardiac or cardio-respiratory arrest and myocardial infarction.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Vaginal hemorrhage (intrathecal)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Angina pectoris, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmias, cardiac failure, conduction abnormalities, hypotension, myocardial infarction, flushing, peripheral ischemia.
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertension, ischemia
• Frequency not reported: Ventricular hypokinesia, myocardial ischemia, arterial spasm, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, thrombocytopenia, cardiorespiratory arrest, spasm of coronary arteries, shock^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Nonurticarial rash, erythema, pruritus, rash, urticaria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematoma, increased sweating
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Severe pustular or bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, drug eruption, dermatitis allergic, skin exfoliation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort
• Frequency not reported: Acute pancreatitis, pancreatitis aggravated, salivary gland enlargement^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, migraine, paresthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness, dizziness, sensory disturbance, syncope, parosmia, cerebral vascular disorder, convulsions, hypoesthesia, stupor
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cerebrovascular accident, amnesia
• Frequency not reported: Disturbances in consciousness, coma, motor dysfunction, transient contrast induced encephalopathy (including hallucination), tremor
• Postmarketing reports: Dyskinesia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Scotoma
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal vision
• Frequency not reported: Transient blindness^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema, fatigue, malaise, tinnitus, feeling hot
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pain, pyrexia, shivering (chills), administration site reactions including
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Feeling cold, asthenic conditions
• Frequency not reported: Iodism^[Ref]

extravasation

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pharyngeal edema
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylactoid shock^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions usually present as respiratory or cutaneous symptoms like dyspnea, rash, erythema, urticaria, pruritus, skin reaction, angioneurotic edema, hypotension, fever, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm or pulmonary edema. They may appear either immediately after the injection or up to a few days later.

Hypersensitivity reactions may occur irrespectively of the dose and mode of administration and mild symptoms may represent the first signs of a serious anaphylactoid reaction/shock.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, anxiety, insomnia, confusion^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal renal function, acute renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, bronchitis, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, rhinitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cough
• Frequency not reported: Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, respiratory arrest, respiratory failure
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary embolism, respiratory depression^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Back pain
• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia
• Postmarketing reports: Polymyalgia rheumatica^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Postmarketing reports: Hemorrhage^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: Hypoglycemia^[Ref]

Further information

Visipaque side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer