Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2019 Publisher: Bracco Imaging spa, Via Egidio Folli 50, 20134, Milano Italy
Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient iopamidol or to any of the excipients.
The concomitant intrathecal administration of corticosteroids with Iopamidol is contraindicated.
Because of overdosage considerations, immediate repeat myelography in the event of technical failure is contraindicated.
Diagnostic procedures which involve the use of any radiopaque medium should be carried out under the direction of personnel with the prerequisite training and with a thorough knowledge of the particular procedure to be performed.
Appropriate facilities should be available for coping with any complication of the procedure, as well as for emergency treatment of severe reaction to the contrast medium itself.
During the examination an intravenous route for emergency treatment in the event of a reaction is required.
After the administration of the contrast medium, competent personnel, drugs and equipment for emergency resuscitation must be available for at least 30 minutes.
Caution during injection of contrast media is necessary to avoid extravasation.
Local tissue irritation can occur as an event of perivascular infiltration of the contrast media.
In patients who are known epileptics or have a history of epilepsy, anticonvulsant therapy should be maintained before and following myelographic procedures. In some instances, anticonvulsant therapy may be increased for 48 hours before the examination. If during the procedure a convulsive crisis occurs, it is recommended to administer intravenously diazepam or phenolbarbital.
Iopamidol injection should be used with caution in patients with hypercalcaemia and cerebral vascular disease.
The risk associated with a particular investigation may be increased by conditions such as advanced arteriosclerosis and hypertension.
The administration of iodinated contrast media may aggravate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
General anaesthesia may be indicated in selected patients. However, a higher incidence of adverse reactions has been reported in these patients, probably due to the hypotensive effect of the anaesthetic.
As with all other contrast media this product may provoke anaphylaxis or other manifestations of allergy with nausea, vomiting, dyspnoea, erythema, urticaria and hypotension. Occasional severe reactions with fatal outcome have been reported.
A positive history of allergy, asthma or untoward reaction during previous similar investigations indicates a need for extra caution; the benefit should clearly outweigh the risk in such patients.
Pre-treatment with antihistamines or corticosteroids to prevent or minimise possible allergic reactions in such patients may be considered.
The risk of bronchospasm-inducing reactions in asthmatic patients is higher after contrast media administration, especially in patients taking beta-blockers.
In patients with suspected or known hypersensitivity to contrast media, sensitivity testing is not recommended, as severe or fatal reactions to contrast media are not predictable from sensitivity tests.
The patient should also be informed that allergic reactions may develop up to several days after the procedure; in such case, a physician should be consulted immediately.
Particular care should be exercised in patients with moderate to severe impairment of renal function (as reflected by a raised blood urea). Substantial deterioration in renal function is minimized if the patient is well hydrated. Renal function parameters, especially urinary output should be monitored after the examination in these patients. Pre-existing renal impairment may predispose to acute renal dysfunction following contrast media administration.
In patients with impairment of renal function, the administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided until the contrast medium is completely excreted. In such patients, renal function parameters should be monitored after the procedure. Further administration of contrast media should be postponed until renal function has returned to its previous level. Patients on dialysis may receive contrast media such as iopamidol, which can be removed without difficulty by dialysis.
Patients with severe hepatic, renal or combined hepato-renal insufficiency should not be examined unless absolutely indicated. Re- examination should be delayed for 5-7 days.
Care should be taken in renal impairment and diabetes. In these patients it is important to maintain hydration in order to minimise deterioration in renal function.
The presence of renal damage in diabetic patients is one of the factors predisposing to renal impairment following contrast media administration. This may precipitate lactic acidosis in patients who are taking metformin (see section 4.5 – Interaction with medicaments and other forms of interaction).
Patients must be sufficiently hydrated before and after radiographic procedures. Patients with severe functional impairment of the liver or myocardium, myelomatosis, diabetes, polyuria or oliguria, hyperuricemia, infants, elderly patients and patients with severe systemic disease should not be exposed to dehydration.
Fluid intake should not be limited and any abnormalities of fluid or electrolyte balance should be corrected prior to use of this hypertonic solution.
Patients with paraproteinaemia of Waldenström, with multiple myeloma or severely compromised hepatic and renal impairment are also more at risk: in these cases adequate hydration is recommended after contrast medium administration.
Contrast media may promote sickling in individuals who are homozygous for sickle cell disease when injected intravenously and intra-arterially. To prevent crises in patients with sickle cell disease adequate hydration should be assured and a minimal volume of low concentration should be used.
Patients with congestive heart failure should be observed for several hours following the procedure to detect delayed haemodynamic disturbances, which may be associated with a transitory increase in the circulating osmotic load..
In patients undergoing angiocardiographic procedures special attention should be paid to the status of the right heart and pulmonary circulation. Right heart insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension may precipitate bradycardia and systemic hypotension, when the organic iodine solution is injected. Right heart angiography should be carried out only when absolutely indicated.
During intracardiac and/or coronary arteriography, ventricular arrhythmias may infrequently occur.
Caution should be exercised in performing iodinated contrast-enhanced examinations in patients with, or with suspicion of, hyperthyroidism or autonomously functioning thyroid nodule(s), as thyroid storms have been reported following administration of iodinated contrast media.
Niopam should be used with caution in patients with hyperthyroidism. It is possible that hyperthyroidism may recur in patients previously treated for Graves' disease.
In patients scheduled for thyroid examination with a radioactive iodine tracer, one must take into consideration that iodine uptake in the thyroid gland will be reduced for several days (up to two weeks) after dosing with an iodinized contrast medium that is eliminated through the kidneys.
Patients with phaeochromocytoma may develop severe hypertensive crisis following intravascular Iopamidol. Pre-medication with α-receptor blockers is recommended.
In angiographic procedures, the possibility of dislodging plaque or damaging or perforating the vessel wall should be considered during catheter manipulation and contrast medium injection. Test injections to ensure proper catheter placements are recommended.
In examinations of the aortic arch the tip of the catheter should be positioned carefully to avoid hypotension, bradycardia and CNS injury due to excess pressure transmitted from the injector pump to the brachiocephalic branches of the aorta.
Angiography should be avoided whenever possible in patients with homocystinuria due to an increased risk of thrombosis and embolism.
In patients undergoing peripheral angiography, there should be pulsation in the artery into which the X-ray contrast medium will be injected. In patients with thromboangiitis obliterans or ascending infections in combination with serious ischemia the angiography should be performed, if at all, with special caution.
In patients undergoing venography, special caution should be exercised in patients with suspected phlebitis, serious ischaemia, local infections, or a complete venous occlusion.
Serious neurological events have been observed following direct injection of contrast media into cerebral arteries or vessels supplying the spinal cord or in angiocardiography due to inadvertent filling of the carotids.
Niopam should be administered with caution in elderly patients, in patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular diseases, recent stroke, or frequent TIA, altered permeability of the blood-brain barrier, increased intracranial pressure, suspicion of intracranial tumour, abscess or hematoma/hemorrhage, history of convulsive disorder, chronic alcoholism or multiple sclerosis. Patients with these conditions have an increased risk of neurological complications.
Vasospasm and subsequent cerebral ischemic phenomena may be caused by intra-arterial injections of contrast media.
An accurate evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio is needed if from clinical history there is a previous history of epilepsy or in the presence of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid or presence of local or systemic infection where bacteremia is likely.
The contrast medium should be removed as much as possible in case of spinal fluid blockage.
Infants (age<1year), and especially newborns are particularly susceptible to electrolyte imbalances and haemodynamic alterations. Care should be taken regarding the dosage to be used, the details of the procedure, and the patient’s status.
When examining small children or babies, do not limit fluid intake before administering a hypertonic contrast solution. Also, correct any existing water and electrolyte imbalance.
In paediatric roentgenology, one should proceed with great caution when injecting the contrast medium into the right heart chambers of cyanotic neonates with pulmonary hypertension and impaired cardiac function.
Transient hypothyroidism may occur in neonates when the mother or the neonate has received an iodinated contrast agent. Thyroid function tests (usually TSH and T4) are recommended in neonates 7-10 days and 1 month after exposure to Niopam especially in preterm neonates.
The elderly are at special risk of reactions due to reduced physiological functions, especially when high dosage of contrast medium is used. Myocardial ischemia, major arrhythmias and premature ventricular complexes are more likely to occur in these patients. The probability of acute renal insufficiency is higher in these patients.
X-ray examination of women should if possible be conducted during the pre-ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle and should be avoided during pregnancy. Appropriate investigations and measures should be taken when exposing women of child-bearing potential to any X-ray examination, whether with or without contrast medium.
Following administration of iopamidol, the capacity of the thyroid tissue to take up iodine is reduced for 2-6 weeks.
Thyroid function tests: use of iodinated contrast media may interfere with tests for thyroid function which depend on iodine estimations, such as Protein Binding Iodine and radioactive iodine up take. As a consequence they will not accurately reflect thyroid function for up to 16 day s following administration of iodinated contrast media. Thyroid function tests not depending on iodine estimations, e.g. T3 resin uptake and total or free thyroxine (T4) assays are not affected.
To prevent onset of lactic acidosis in diabetic patients under treatment with oral anti-diabetic agents of the biguanide class and with moderate renal impairment undergoing elective procedures, biguanides should be stopped 48 hours prior to the administration of the contrast medium and re-instated only after 48 hours if serum creatinine is unchanged. (See section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions).
In emergency patients in whom renal function is either impaired or unknown, the physician shall weigh out risk and benefit of an examination with a contrast medium. Metformin should be stopped from the time of contrast medium administration. After the procedure, the patient should be monitored for signs of lactic acidosis. Metformin should be restarted 48 hours after contrast medium if serum creatinine/eGFR is unchanged from the pre-imaging level.
Patients with normal renal function can continue to take Metformin normally.
Arterial thrombosis has been reported when Iopamidol was given following papaverine.
Cardiac and/or hypertensive patients under treatment with diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, and/or beta-blocking agents are at higher risk of adverse reactions when administered iodinated contrast media.
In patients receiving beta-blockers there is an elevated risk of more severe anaphylactoid reactions.
Beta-blockers may impair the response to treatment of bronchospasm induced by contrast medium.
The administration of vasopressors strongly potentiates the neurological effect of the intra-arterial contrast media.
Renal toxicity has been reported in patients with liver dysfunction who were given oral cholecystographic agents followed by intravascular contrast agents. Therefore, administration of intravascular contrast agents should be postponed in patients who have recently been given a cholecystographic contrast agent.
Contrast media may interfere with laboratory tests for bilirubin, proteins or inorganic substances (e.g. iron, copper, calcium, phosphate). These sub stances should not be assayed during the same day following the administration of contrast media.
Following administration of iopamidol atypical adverse reactions e.g. erythema, fever and flu symptoms have been reported in patients treated with interleukin-2.
Neuroleptics must be absolutely avoided because they lower the seizure threshold. The same applies to analgesics, anti-emetics, antihistamines and sedatives of the phenothiazine group. Whenever possible, treatment with such drugs should be discontinued at least 48 hours before administration of the contrast medium and treatment can be resumed not earlier than 24 hours afterwards.
X-ray examination of women should if possible be conducted during the preovulation phase of the menstrual cycle and should be avoided during pregnancy; also, since it has not been demonstrated that Niopam is safe for use in pregnant women, it should be administered only if the procedure is considered essential by the physician. Apart from radiation exposure of the foetus, benefit-risk consideration for iodine containing contrast agents should also take into account the sensitivity of the foetal thyroid towards iodine.
Iodine-containing X-ray contrast agents are excreted into the breast milk in low amounts. From animal experience, Niopam is non toxic in animals after oral administration. From experience gained so far, harm to the nursing infant is unlikely to occur. Stopping breastfeeding is unnecessary.
There is no known effect on the ability to drive and operate machines. However, because of the risk of early reactions, driving or operating machinery is not advisable for one hour following the last intravascular injection. Driving or operating machinery is not advisable for 6 hours following intrathecal administration.
The use of iodinated contrast media may cause untoward side effects. They are usually mild to moderate and transient in nature. However, severe and life threatening reactions sometimes leading to death have been reported.
Anaphylaxis (anaphylactoid reactions/hypersensitivity) may manifest with: mild localized or more diffuse angioneurotic oedema, tongue oedema, laryngospasm or laryngeal oedema, dysphagia, pharyngitis and throat tightness, pharyngolaryngeal pain, cough, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, sneezing, feeling hot, sweating increased, asthenia, dizziness, pallor, dyspnoea, wheezing, bronchospasm, and moderate hypotension. Skin reactions may occur in the form of various types of rash, diffuse erythema, diffuse blisters, urticaria, and pruritus. These reactions, which occur irrespective of the dose administered and the route of administration, may represent the first signs of incipient state of shock. Administration of the contrast medium must be discontinued immediately and – if necessary – specific treatment initiated via a venous access.
Following intravascular administration, in most cases reactions occur within minutes of dosage. However, delayed reactions, usually involving skin, may occur, mostly within 2-3 days, more rarely within 7 days, after the administration of the contrast medium.
After intrathecal administration, most side effects occur with a delay of some hours due to the slow absorption from the site of administration and distribution to the whole body. Reactions usually occur within 24 hours after injection.
More severe reactions involving the cardiovascular system such as vasodilatation with pronounced hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnoea, agitation, cyanosis and loss of consciousness progressing to respiratory and/or cardiac arrest may result in death. These events can occur rapidly and require full and aggressive cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Primary circulatory collapse can occur as the only and/or initial presentation without respiratory symptoms or without other signs or symptoms outlined above.
The adverse reactions are classified by System Organ Class and frequency, using the following convention: Very common (≥1/10), Common (≥1/100 to <1/10), Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), Very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Frequency unknown: Thrombocytopenia
Frequency unknown: Anaphylaxis, Anaphylactoid reaction
Rare: Confusional state
Common: Headache
Uncommon: Dizziness, Taste alteration
Rare: Paraesthesia
Frequency unknown: Coma, Transient ischaemic attack, Syncope, Depressed level consciousness or loss of consciousness, Convulsion,
Frequency unknown: Transient blindness, Visual disturbance, Conjunctivitis, Photophobia
Uncommon: Cardiac dysrhythmias such as extrasystoles, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation*
Rare: Bradycardia
Frequency unknown: Myocardial ischaemia infarction, Cardiac failure, Cardio-respiratory arrest, Tachycardia
Uncommon: Hypotension, Hypertension, Flushing
Frequency unknown: Circulatory collapse or shock
Rare: Pulmonary oedema, Asthma, Bronchospasm
Frequency unknown: Respiratory arrest, Respiratory failure, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Respiratory distress, Apnoea, Laryngeal oedema, Dyspnoea
Common: Nausea
Uncommon: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Dry mouth
Frequency unknown: Salivary hypersecretion, Salivary gland enlargement
Uncommon: Rash, Urticaria, Pruritus, Erythema, Sweating increased
Frequency unknown: Face oedema, muco-cutaneous syndrome**
Uncommon: Back pain
Rare: Muscle spasms
Frequency unknown: Musculoskeletal pain, Muscular weakness
Uncommon: Acute renal failure
Common: Feeling hot
Uncommon: Chest pain, Injection site pain***, Pyrexia, Feeling cold
Frequency unknown: Rigors, Pain, Malaise
Uncommon: Blood creatinine increased
Frequency unknown: Electrocardiogram change including ST Segment depression
* Cardiac reactions may occur consequences of the coronary catheterization procedural hazard: these complications include coronary artery thrombosis and coronary artery embolism.
** As with other iodinated contrast media, very rare cases of muco-cutaneous syndromes, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxicepidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome) and erythema multiforme, have been reported following the administration of Iopamidol
*** Injection site pain and swelling may occur. In the majority of cases it is due to extravasation of contrast medium. These reactions are usually transient and result in recovery without sequelae. However, inflammation and even skin necrosis have been seen on very rare occasions. In isolated reports extravasation led to the development of compartment syndrome
Frequency type and severity of adverse reactions in children are similar to those in adults.
Frequency unknown: Meningitis aseptic, Meningitis bacterial as consequence of the procedural hazard
Frequency unknown: Anaphylaxis, Anaphylactoid reaction**
Frequency unknown: Confusional state, Disorientation, Agitation, Restlessness
Very common: Headache
Frequency unknown: Coma, Paralysis, Convulsion, Syncope, Depressed level of consciousness or loss of consciousness, Meningism, Dizziness, Paraesthesia, Hypoaesthesia
Frequency unknown: Transient blindness
Frequency unknown: Arrhythmia
Common: Flushing
Frequency unknown: Hypertension
Frequency unknown: Respiratory arrest, Dyspnoea
Common: Nausea,Vomiting
Uncommon: Rash
Common: Back pain, Neck pain, Pain in extremity, Sensation of heaviness
Frequency unknown: Pyrexia, Malaise, Rigors
* Anaphylaxis (anaphylactoid reactions/hypersensitivity) may occur. Anaphylactoidreactions with circulatory disturbances such a severe blood pressure decrease leading to syncope or cardiac arrest and life threatening shock are much less common after intrathecal administration than after intravascular administration.
The majority of the reactions occur some hours after the contrast administration due to the slow absorption from the area of administration and distribution in the whole organism.
Blood amylase increased is common following ERCP. Very rare cases of pancreatitis have been described.
The reactions reported in cases of arthrography usually represent irritative manifestations superimposed on existing tissue inflammation.
Systemic hypersensitivity is rare, generally mild and in the form of skin reactions. However, the possibility of severe anaphylactoid reactions cannot be excluded.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
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