Iotalamic acid Other names: Iothalamic acid

Following intravascular injection, iotalamic acid is rapidly transported through the circulatory system to the kidneys and is excreted unchanged in the urine by glomerular filtration. The pharmacokinetics of intravascularly administered radiopaque contrast media are usually best described by a two compartment model with a rapid alpha phase for drug distribution and a slower beta phase for drug elimination. In patients with normal renal function, the alpha and beta half-lives of iotalamic acid were approximately 10 and 90 minutes, respectively.

Angiography may be performed following intravascular injection which will permit visualization until significant hemodilution occurs.

Renal accumulation is sufficiently rapid that maximum radiographic density in the calyces and pelves occurs, in most instances, about 3 to 8 minutes after injection. In patients with impaired renal function, diagnostic opacification frequently is achieved only after prolonged periods.

Injectable iodinated contrast agents are excreted either through the kidneys or through the liver. These two excretory pathways are not mutually exclusive, but the main route of excretion seems to be related to the affinity of the contrast medium for serum albumin. Iothalamate salts are poorly bound to serum albumin, and are excreted mainly through the kidneys.

The liver and small intestine provide the major alternate route of excretion. In patients with severe renal impairment, the excretion of this contrast medium through the gallbladder and into the small intestine sharply increases.

Iothalamate salts cross the placental barrier in humans and are excreted unchanged in human milk.

The biliary system, pancreatic duct or joint spaces may be visualized by the direct injection of contrast medium into the region to be studied.