Warnings for Omnipaque
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Omnipaque
Risks Associated With Inadvertent Intrathecal Administration
OMNIPAQUE injection 140 and 350 are contraindicated for intrathecal use [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Inadvertent intrathecal administration can cause death, convulsions/seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, coma, paralysis, arachnoiditis, acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, and brain edema.
Risks Associated With Inadvertent Parenteral Administration
OMNIPAQUE oral solution 9 and 12 are contraindicated for parenteral administration [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Adverse reactions such as hemolysis may occur if administered intravascularly. Do not administer OMNIPAQUE oral solution 9 and 12 parenterally.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
OMNIPAQUE can cause life-threatening or fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Manifestations include respiratory arrest, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, angioedema, and shock. Most severe reactions develop shortly after the start of the injection (within 3 minutes), but reactions can occur up to hours later. There is an increased risk in patients with a history of a previous reaction to contrast agent, and known allergies (i.e., bronchial asthma, drug, or food allergies) or other hypersensitivities. Premedication with antihistamines or corticosteroids does not prevent serious life-threatening reactions, but may reduce both their incidence and severity.
Obtain a history of allergy, hypersensitivity, or hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast agents and always have emergency resuscitation equipment and trained personnel available prior to OMNIPAQUE administration. Monitor all patients for hypersensitivity reactions.
Contrast Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Acute kidney injury, including renal failure, may occur after parenteral administration of OMNIPAQUE. Risk factors include: preexisting renal impairment, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, advanced vascular disease, elderly age, concomitant use of nephrotoxic or diuretic medications, multiple myeloma / paraproteinaceous diseases, repetitive and/or large doses of an iodinated contrast agent.
Use the lowest necessary dose of OMNIPAQUE in patients with renal impairment. Adequately hydrate patients prior to and following parenteral administration of OMNIPAQUE. Do not use laxatives, diuretics, or preparatory dehydration prior to OMNIPAQUE administration.
Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions
Life-threatening or fatal cardiovascular reactions including hypotension, shock, cardiac arrest have occurred with the parenteral administration of OMNIPAQUE. Most deaths occur during injection or five to ten minutes later, with cardiovascular disease as the main aggravating factor. Cardiac decompensation, serious arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia or infarction can occur during coronary arteriography and ventriculography.
Based upon clinical literature reported deaths from the administration of iodinated contrast agents range from 6.6 per million (0.00066%) to 1 in 10,000 (0.01%). Use the lowest necessary dose of OMNIPAQUE in patients with congestive heart failure and always have emergency resuscitation equipment and trained personnel available. Monitor all patients for severe cardiovascular reactions.
Thromboembolic Events
Angiocardiography
Serious, rarely fatal, thromboembolic events causing myocardial infarction and stroke can occur during angiocardiography procedures with both ionic and nonionic contrast media. During these procedures, increased thrombosis and activation of the complement system occurs. Risk factors for thromboembolic events include: length of procedure, catheter and syringe material, underlying disease state, and concomitant medications.
To minimize thromboembolic events, use meticulous angiographic techniques, and minimize the length of the procedure. Avoid blood remaining in contact with syringes containing iodinated contrast agents, which increases the risk of clotting. Avoid angiocardiography in patients with homocystinuria because of the risk of inducing thrombosis and embolism.
Extravasation And Injection Site Reactions
Extravasation of OMNIPAQUE during intravascular injection may cause tissue necrosis and/or compartment syndrome, particularly in patients with severe arterial or venous disease. Ensure intravascular placement of catheters prior to injection. Monitor patients for extravasation and advise patients to seek medical care for progression of symptoms.
Thyroid Storm In Patients With Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid storm has occurred after the intravascular use of iodinated contrast agents in patients with hyperthyroidism, or with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule. Evaluate the risk in such patients before use of OMNIPAQUE.
Hypertensive Crisis In Patients With Pheochromocytoma
Hypertensive crisis has occurred after the use of iodinated contrast agents in patient with pheochromocytoma. Monitor patients when administering OMNIPAQUE intravascularly if pheochromocytoma or catecholamine-secreting paragangliomas are suspected. Inject the minimum amount of contrast necessary, assess the blood pressure throughout the procedure, and have measures for treatment of a hypertensive crisis readily available.
Sickle Cell Crisis In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
Iodinated contrast agents when administered intravascularly may promote sickling in individuals who are homozygous for sickle cell disease. Hydrate patients prior to and following OMNIPAQUE administration and use OMNIPAQUE only if the necessary imaging information cannot be obtained with alternative imaging modalities.
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) may develop from 1 hour to several weeks after intravascular contrast agent administration. These reactions include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Reaction severity may increase and time to onset may decrease with repeat administration of contrast agents; prophylactic medications may not prevent or mitigate severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Avoid administering OMNIPAQUE to patients with a history of a severe cutaneous adverse reaction to OMNIPAQUE.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term animal studies have not been performed with iohexol to evaluate carcinogenic potential. Iohexol was not genotoxic in a series of studies, including the Ames test, the mouse lymphoma TK locus forward mutation assay, and a mouse micronucleus assay. Iohexol did not impair the fertility of male or female rats when repeatedly administered at intravenous dosages up to 4 g iodine/kg.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Hysterosalpingography is contraindicated in pregnant women due to the potential risk to the fetus from an intrauterine procedure [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. There are no data with iohexol use in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks. Iohexol crosses the placenta and reaches fetal tissues in small amounts (see Data). In animal reproduction studies, no developmental toxicity occurred with intravenous iohexol administration to rats and rabbits at doses up to 0.4 (rat) and 0.5 (rabbit) times the maximum recommended human intravenous dose (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Data
Human Data
Literature reports show that intravenously administered iohexol crosses the placenta and is visualized in the digestive tract of exposed infants after birth.
Animal Data
Iohexol was neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic in either rats or rabbits at the following dose levels tested: 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 g iodine/kg in rats, administered intravenously to 3 groups of 25 dams once daily during days 6 through 15 of pregnancy; 0.3, 1.0, 2.5 g iodine/kg in rabbits, administered intravenously to 3 groups of 18 rabbits dosed once a day during days 6 through 18 of pregnancy.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Published literature reports that breast feeding after intravenous iohexol administration to the mother would result in the infant receiving an oral dose of approximately 0.7% of the maternal intravenous dose; however, lactation studies have not been conducted with oral, intrathecal, or intracavity administration of iohexol. There is no information on the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Iodinated contrast agents are excreted unchanged in human milk in very low amounts with poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of a breastfed infant. Exposure to iohexol to a breastfed infant can be minimized by temporary discontinuation of breastfeeding (see Clinical Considerations). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for OMNIPAQUE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from OMNIPAQUE or from the underlying maternal condition.
Clinical Considerations
Interruption of breastfeeding after exposure to iodinated contrast agents is not necessary because the potential exposure of the breastfed infant to iodine is small. However, a lactating woman may consider interrupting breastfeeding and pumping and discarding breast milk for 10 hours (approximately 5 elimination half-lives) after OMNIPAQUE administration to minimize drug exposure to a breastfed infant.
Pediatric Use
Intrathecal Use
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 180 have been established in pediatric patients 2 weeks to 17 years of age for myelography (lumbar, thoracic, cervical, total columnar) and for CT (myelography, cisternography). Use of OMNIPAQUE 180 is supported by controlled clinical studies in adults for myelography, in addition to clinical studies in pediatric patients undergoing myelography. The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 180 have not been established for intrathecal use in patient pediatric patients less than 2 weeks of age. The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 240 and 300 have not been established in pediatric patients for myelography (lumbar, thoracic, cervical, total columnar) and for CT (myelography, cisternography, or ventriculography).
Intravascular Use
Angiocardiography (Ventriculography, Pulmonary Arteriography, Venography, and Studies of the Collateral Arteries) and Aortography
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 300 have been established in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age for angiocardiography (ventriculography) and of OMNIPAQUE 350 in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age for angiocardiography (ventriculography, pulmonary arteriography, venography, and studies of the collateral arteries) and aortography. Use of OMNIPAQUE 300 and 350 is supported by controlled clinical studies in adults for angiocardiography and aortography, in addition to controlled clinical studies in pediatric patients undergoing angiocardiography, including aortography. The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 300 have not been established in pediatric patients for aortography.
Intra-arterial Digital Subtraction Angiography, Intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography, Cerebral Arteriography, or Peripheral Arteriography and Venography
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE have not been established in pediatric patients for intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography, intravenous digital subtraction angiography, cerebral arteriography, or peripheral arteriography and venography.
CT of the Head and Body
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 240 and 300 have been established in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age for CT imaging of the head and body. Use of OMNIPAQUE 240 and 300 is supported by controlled clinical studies in adults for head and body CT, in addition to clinical studies in pediatric patients undergoing head CT and in 69 pediatric patients undergoing CT of the abdomen after oral administration of diluted OMNIPAQUE plus intravenous administration of OMNIPAQUE. The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 350 have not been established in pediatric patients for CT imaging of the head and body.
Urography
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPQUE 300 have been established in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age for urography. Use of OMNIPAQUE 300 is supported by controlled clinical studies in adults for urography, in addition to controlled clinical studies in pediatric patients undergoing urography and clinical safety data in pediatric patients down to birth.
Oral Or Rectal Use
Undiluted OMNIPAQUE Injection
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE 180, 240, and 300 administered orally and rectally have been established in pediatric patients, from birth to 17 years of age for examination of the GI tract. Use of OMNIPAQUE 180, 240, and 300 administered orally and rectally is supported by controlled studies in adults for examination of the GI tract, in addition to clinical studies in pediatric patients undergoing examination of the GI tract.
Oral Use In Conjunction With Intravenous Use
Diluted OMNIPAQUE Injection
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE injection diluted to concentrations from 9 to 21 mg iodine/mL administered orally in conjunction with OMNIPAQUE injection administered intravenously for CT of the abdomen have been established in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age. Use is supported by clinical trials in adults, in addition to clinical studies in 69 pediatric patients undergoing CT of the abdomen after oral administration of diluted OMNIPAQUE plus intravenous administration of OMNIPAQUE.
OMNIPAQUE Oral Solution
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE oral solution 9 and 12 administered orally in conjunction with OMNIPAQUE injection administered intravenously for CT of the abdomen in pediatric patients have been established in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age. Use is supported by the data establishing safety and effectiveness for OMNIPAQUE injection diluted and administered orally in conjunction with OMNIPAQUE injection administered intravenously for CT of the abdomen in pediatric patients.
Intraarticular Use
The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE have not been established in pediatric patients for arthrography.
Body Cavity Use
OMNIPAQUE 240, 300, 350 diluted to concentrations from 50 mg iodine/mL to 100 mg iodine/mL is indicated for use in pediatric patients from birth to 17 years of age for voiding cystourethrography (VCU). The use for voiding cystourethrography is supported by clinical studies in 51 pediatric patients undergoing VCU. The safety and effectiveness of OMNIPAQUE have not been established in pediatric patients for ERCP, herniography, or hysterosalpingography.
In general, the frequency of adverse reactions in pediatric patients was similar to that seen in adults [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Pediatric patients at higher risk of experiencing adverse events during contrast-medium administration may include those having asthma, a sensitivity to medication and/or allergens, congestive heart failure, a serum creatinine greater than 1.5 mg/dL or those less than 12 months of age.
Thyroid function tests indicative of hypothyroidism or transient thyroid suppression have been uncommonly reported following iodinated contrast media administration to pediatric patients, including infants. Some patients were treated for hypothyroidism [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Geriatric Use
In clinical studies of OMNIPAQUE for CT, 52/299 (17%) of patients were 70 and over. No overall differences in safety were observed between these patients and younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in response between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.