Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Gastrografin
What is GASTROGRAFIN® used for?
To assist in radiographic (X-Ray) examination of:
- the digestive tract.
- the throat and the esophagus (passageway between the mouth and the stomach).
How does GASTROGRAFIN® work?
GASTROGRAFIN® is absorbed by your digestive track and makes it appear darker in X-Ray examinations. This helps your doctor make a diagnosis.
What are the ingredients in GASTROGRAFIN®?
Medicinal ingredients: Diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium.
Non-medicinal ingredients: edetate sodium, flavour, polysorbate 80, purified water, saccharin sodium, simethicone, sodium citrate and sodium hydroxide.
GASTROGRAFIN® comes in the following dosage forms:
GASTROGRAFIN® is supplied in bottles of 30 and 120 mL containing 66% diatrizoate meglumine and 10% diatrizoate sodium.
Do not use GASTROGRAFIN® if:
- you have history of allergy to GASTROGRAFIN® or salts of diatrozic acid or any of the non-medicinal ingredients of GASTROGRAFIN®. See the section “What are the ingredients in GASTROGRAFIN®?” to see all the ingredients.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take GASTROGRAFIN®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If there is a need to use GASTROGRAFIN® during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of giving it to you.
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. GASTROGRAFIN® may be passed on through breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take GASTROGRAFIN®.
- suffer from an abnormal passage between the esophagus and the trachea.
- are allergic, or have had allergic reaction to iodine or any other contrast agent.
- have a family history of allergy or asthma.
- suffer from a condition where your thyroid gland is enlarged (goiter).
Other warnings you should know about:
GASTROGRAFIN® should not be administered into a blood vessel or a muscle.
Products like GASTROGRAFIN® that contain iodine, may change thyroid activity in some patients, both in adults and infants. This may cause:
- hypothyroidism (i.e. too little thyroid hormones in the blood); or
- hyperthyroidism (i.e. too much thyroid hormones in the blood)
GASTROGRAFIN® may cause hypothyroidism in infants, especially infants born too soon that:
- can continue for several weeks to a month after treatment
- can harm growth and development
- can harm mental growth
- may require treatment
can cause symptoms such as:
- fatigue, shortness of breath, low heart rate
- reduced appetite, feeling cold, weight gain
- muscle stiffness
Contact your doctor if these symptoms happen to you or your infant.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with GASTROGRAFIN®:
Drug interaction studies have not been performed with GASTROGRAFIN®.
GASTROGRAFIN® may affect the results tests to measure the thyroid gland function. GASTROGRAFIN® may also affect the results of tests for the pancreas. Tell your doctor if you have any of these tests scheduled.
How to take GASTROGRAFIN®:
GASTROGRAFIN® will be given to you by a healthcare professional who is experienced in the use of contrast media. GASTROGRAFIN® can be given by the mouth (oral) or by the rectum. GASTROGRAFIN® should not be used as an injection.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose that is right for you. The dose depends on the type of examination and your weight.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have received too much GASTROGRAFIN®, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using GASTROGRAFIN®?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking GASTROGRAFIN®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Common side effects with GASTROGRAFIN® include nausea, vomiting, allergy, and diarrhea.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Severe allergic reactions, with symptoms such as trouble breathing, increase heart rate, or rashes | X | X | |
| Diarrhea or vomiting in children | X | X | |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature. Protect from light.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about GASTROGRAFIN®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website http://www.braccoimaging.com, or by calling 1-800-465-5820.