It is also used to treat Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms).[6][7]
Diatrizoate may not actually kill Ascaris, but instead it promotes shifting of fluid in the bowel lumen due to its osmotic properties[clarify], so may relieve intestinal obstruction caused by impacted Ascaris.[8]
Diatrizoate is used in suspected intestinal perforation, meconium ileus, and to identify bowel-lumen communication. It should not be used to investigate tracheo-oesophageal fistula because it can cause pulmonary oedema when aspirated into respiratory system. Diatrizoate can dislodge sticky meconium by drawing water into intestines.[9] Diatrizoate is minimally absorbed from the intestines and excreted into urinary bladder.[10] Because of its high osmolarity it can draw water from the surrounding tissues into the intestines, thus cause dehydration in people with already small plasma volume such as infants. Because of the additives and flavouring agents, diatrizoate formulated as Gastrografin must not be used intravascularly, though other formulations of diatrizoate are indicated for intravascular use. This chemical must be kept away from sunlight during storage.[11]
It is given orally on computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis as 30 ml solution with 3% concentration to visualise the bowel lumen and any communications with the bowel lumen.[12]
In principle, diatrizoic acid is administered by the route most appropriate and sensible to image the structure/-s of interest (e.g., IV for blood vessels through which it is distributed and kidney–ureters–bladder that excrete it; orally or per rectally as an enema for the gastrointestinal tract).[citation needed]
A history of sensitivity to iodine is not a contraindication to using diatrizoate, although it suggests caution in use of the agent. In this case, a regimen of oral or intravenous corticosteroids may be given as prophylaxis, or an alternative such as barium sulfate may be preferable.[citation needed]
Gastrografin is contraindicated to use along with certain medications that can cause lactic acidosis, such as metformin. Concurrent use may lead to kidney failure and lactic acidosis, and a clinician may need to space the agents apart over a number of days to prevent an interaction.[13]
Gastrografin is a hypertonic solution, and therefore it should be avoided in imaging studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients who are at risk of aspiration, as it will cause prompt pulmonary edema if accidentally introduced into the tracheobronchial tree.[14][15]
Urografin is not to be used for myelography, ventriculography or cisternography, since it is likely to provoke neurotoxic symptoms in these examinations.
[16]
Diatrizoate is considered a high-osmolality contrast agent. Its osmolality ranges from approximately 1500 mOsm/kg (50% solution)[17] to over 2000 mOsm/kg (76% solution).[18]
Brand names include Hypaque, Gastrografin, MD-Gastroview, Iothalmate, and Urografin. Urografin is a combination of the sodium and meglumine salts.[citation needed]
^World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
^Kaushik R (2010). "Asia". In Schein M, Rogers P, Assalia A (eds.). Schein's Common Sense Emergency Abdominal Surgery. Springer. pp. 391–. ISBN978-3-540-74820-5. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
^Nick W, Hefin J (2018). "Introduction to contrast media". Chapman & Nakielny's Guide to Radiological procedures (7th ed.). London: Elsevier. p. 44, 49, 69. ISBN9780702071669.
^Poole CA, Rowe MI (January 1976). "Clinical evidence of intestinal absorption of Gastrografin". Radiology. 118 (1): 151–153. doi:10.1148/118.1.151. PMID1244649.
^Mohajer P, Annan E, Ahuja J, Sharif M, Sung A (October 2012). "Acute Respiratory Failure From Aspiration Pneumonitis: A Complication of Gastrografin Contrast Media". Chest. 142 (4): 1017A. doi:10.1378/chest.1390596.
