Gadolinium is a shiny, soft metal that is used as a contrasting agent in magnetic resonance angigraphy, or MRAs. When a solution containing the element is injected in a patient, it allows the medical provider to see the blood vessels when an MRA is performed. There have been reported problems, however, related to its use. The Food and Drug Administration has investigated whether there is a link between use of the drug and later development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermapathy.
Kidney Patients
Kidney patients are warned about the effects of gadolinium-contrasting agents since the kidneys are the main way the agent is excreted from the body. Symptoms of NSF include skin tightening, yellow-raised spots on the whites of the eyes, burning and itching of the skin, the development of dark marks on the skin and joint stiffness, among other conditions.
Other Side Effects
General side effects for these types of agents include facial swelling, rashes, sweating, hives and itching.
Allergic Reactions
The FDA does not consider allergic reactions to gadolinium-contrasting agents such as itching and swelling to be serious. On occasion, a patient may develop a severe reaction, and at times death may even occur (see Resources).
Warnings
Following investigations into possible problems kidney patients may experience with this agent, the FDA has advised manufacturers to place a warning box on their labels (see Resources).
Gadolinium-Contrasting Agents
Gadolinium-contrasting agents include Omniscan, Magnevist and OptiMARK.
Tags: agents include, gadolinium-contrasting agents, Side Effects
