Cholecystographic Agents, Oral (Diagnostic)
Before Having This TestIn deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed
against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
Also, test results may be affected by other things. For cholecystographic
agents, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to iodine, to products containing iodine (for example, iodine-containing
foods, such as seafoods, cabbage, kale, rape [turnip-like vegetable], turnips,
or iodized salt), or to other radiopaque agents. Also tell your doctor if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done
in humans with any of these agents. Studies in animals have been done only
with iocetamic acid, which has not been shown to cause birth defects or other
problems. However, on rare occasions, other radiopaque agents containing iodine
have caused hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in the baby when given in
late pregnancy. Also, x-rays of the abdomen are usually not recommended during
pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. Be sure you have
discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding - Iocetamic acid, iopanoic acid, and tyropanoate
pass into the breast milk, and the other agents may pass into the breast milk
also. However, these radiopaque agents have not been reported to cause problems
in nursing babies.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of cholecystographic agents in children with use in other age groups,
tests using iopanoic acid and ipodate in children have not shown that these
agents cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in
adults.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of cholecystographic agents in the elderly with use in other
age groups, these agents are not expected to cause different side effects
or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor if
you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of cholecystographic agents. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Asthma, hay fever, or other allergies (history of) or
-
Previous reaction to penicillins or to a skin test for allergies - Patients
with these conditions have a greater chance of having a reaction, such as
an allergic reaction
-
Heart disease - Other problems, such as low blood pressure or
slow heartbeat, may occur
-
Kidney disease or
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Liver disease (severe) - Serious kidney problems may result
-
Overactive thyroid - A sudden increase in symptoms, such as fast
heartbeat or palpitations, fatigue, nervousness, excessive sweating, and muscle
weakness may occur
Preparation for This TestDosing - Take this radiopaque agent with water after
dinner the evening or evenings before the examination, following the directions
of your doctor. Keep drinking an adequate amount of water, unless otherwise
directed by your doctor. Do not eat or drink anything but water after taking the medicine. Also,
avoid smoking or chewing gum.
Your doctor may order a special diet or use of a laxative or enema in preparation
for your test, depending on the type of test. If you have not received such
instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your doctor in advance.
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