Uses for Cholografin Meglumine
Cholografin Meglumine is
indicated for intravenous cholangiography and cholecystography as follows: (a)
visualization of the gallbladder and biliary ducts in the differential
diagnosis of acute abdominal conditions, (b) visualization of the biliary
ducts, especially in patients with symptoms after cholecystectomy, and (c)
visualization of the gallbladder in patients unable to take oral contrast media
or to absorb contrast media from the gastrointestinal tract.
Dosage for Cholografin Meglumine
Cholografin Meglumine (lodipamide Meglumine Injection USP
52%) is for intravenous use only.
Directions For Use
Preparation of the Patient: For best results, the
usual preliminary measures for cholecystography are recommended, particularly
in cholecystectomized patients, i.e., a low residue diet on the day before
examination and administration of castor oil the night before or neostigmine at
the time of examination to dispel excess intestinal gas. Cholecystography is
preferably carried out in the morning with the patient fasting.
Dose: The usual adult dose is 20 mL. For infants
and children, the suggested dose is 0.3 to 0.6 mL/kg of body weight; the dosage
for infants and children should not exceed 20 mL.
Note: The dose should not be repeated for 24
hours.
Administration: After warming to body temperature,
Cholografin Meglumine should be given by slow intravenous injection, following
the usual precautions of intravenous administration. It is important that
the preparation be injected slowly over a period of 10 minutes. Use of a
narrow bore hypodermic needle will ensure a slow rate of injection. During the
injection, the patient should be watched for untoward reactions such as a
feeling of warmth, flushing and occasionally nausea. Nausea indicates that the
injection rate is too rapid.
Radiography: A scout film should be exposed
routinely before the intravenous injection is made.
Position of the Patient: With the patient prone
and the right side elevated, radiographs are made in the posterior-anterior
projection. Some radiologists prefer the supine position with the left side
elevated. Serial 10-minute exposures should be started 10 minutes after the
injection is made and continued until optimal visualization of the biliary
ducts is obtained. Wet films should be examined immediately by the radiologist.
In some cases a 15-degree rotation or the upright position may prove helpful.
Depending on the situation revealed by the roentgenograms in which the duct is
first seen, the position of the subject should be changed to displace the
shadow of the common bile duct from that of the spine. Tomography is a useful
technique for enhancing bile duct visualization after administration of the
radiopaque medium.
Examination of the gallbladder should be started
about two hours after administration. The standard positions in routine
examination of the gallbladder should be used unless otherwise indicated. There
is no need for the patient to remain quiet awaiting the time for the
gallbladder film to be exposed. Moderate activity on the part of the patient
will, in most cases, preclude “stratification” of the contrast agent in the
gallbladder. If the contrast medium should stratify in the gallbladder,
decubitus as well as upright films should be obtained. Additional exposures may
be made after the ingestion of a fatty meal.
If visualization is not achieved after two and one-half
hours, the patient should be returned for a 24-hour film, whenever possible.
Occasionally, delayed opacification of the gallbladder will occur in 24 hours.
In infants and children, gallbladder visualization may be
expected to occur 30 minutes to four hours after administration.
Note: In the presence of liver disease (BSP
retention greater than 30 to 40 percent), the contrast medium is not excreted
efficiently by the liver and visualization is usually not achieved.
Visualization is rarely achieved in the presence of a serum bilirubin of 3.0 mg
per 100 mL if the elevated bilirubin level is due to mechanical obstruction or
hepatocellular damage. In the presence of severe liver damage, the contrast
agent is excreted by the kidneys.
Interpretation: When intravenous cholecystography
and cholangiography are used as an aid in the differential diagnosis of acute
abdominal conditions, visualization of the gallbladder is considered strong
evidence against a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, while nonvisualization of
the gallbladder two and one-half hours after administration with visualization
of the bile ducts is considered strong evidence in favor of a diagnosis of
acute cholecystitis (if the bile ducts are only faintly visualized, gallbladder
films four hours after administration may occasionally show visualization of
the gallbladder). When neither the bile ducts nor the gallbladder is
visualized, the study provides no definitive information with regard to
determining the presence or absence of acute cholecystitis.
HOW SUPPLIED
Cholografin Meglumine (lodipamide Meglumine Injection USP
52%) is available in single dose vials of 20 mL (NDC 0270-0265-20).
Storage
Protect from light; store at 20 -25°C (68-77°F) [See USP];
avoid excessive heat.
In the event that crystallization occurs, the solution
may be clarified by placing the vial in hot water and shaking gently for
several minutes or until the solids redissolve. If cloudiness persists, discard
the preparation. Allow the solution to cool to body temperature before
administering.
Manufactured for Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Monroe Township,
NJ 08831 by Patheon Italia S.p.A. 03013 Ferentino (Italy). Revised June 2015