Gadopentetate (By injection)

Gadopentetate Dimeglumine (gad-oh-PEN-te-tate dye-MEG-loo-meen)

Used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Helps images of internal organs and tissues show up better. This medicine is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA).

Brand Name(s):

Magnevist

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to gadopentetate other gadolinium-based contrast agents, or if you have severe kidney disease or injury.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins just before you have an MRI scan.
You may need a blood or urine test before you are given this medicine, to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough to process it.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have recently received another GBCA and if you have a history of asthma or allergies, especially to other contrast agents or drugs.
The risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is increased in patients who have severe kidney disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, because you are more likely to have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you have bone pain in your hips or ribs; skin that burns or itches, swells, scales, or hardens; joint stiffness; limited range of motion in your arms, hands, feet, or legs; and muscle weakness. These may be symptoms of NSF.
Tell your doctor right away if you have pain, redness, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bone pain in your hips or ribs; areas of skin that turn red or dark or feel tight; skin that burns or itches, swells, scales, or hardens; stiff joints or muscles; trouble moving your arms or legs; muscle weakness
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, dizziness, confusion, nausea
Pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg where the needle was placed

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Headache
Mild pain, itching, burning, swelling, cold feeling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017