Omniscan is a dye used in patients undergoing an MRI.
Omniscan is a medicinal dye used to help medical personnel view internal organs and blood vessels during MRI testing. As with any drug, there are side effects associated with the use of Omniscan. Some of these side effects are severe and extreme caution should be used in patients who are given Omniscan.
What is Omniscan
Omniscan is a contrast dye that is administered via intravenous drip in patients just before they receive an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. It is used so that your doctor and medical staff can view possible lesions or areas of inadequate blood supply in your brain, spinal cord, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Most Dangerous Side Effects of Omniscan
The side effects associated with Omniscan can be severe in certain individuals. Cardiovascular failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), convulsions (seizures), irregular heartbeat, respiratory failure (inability to breathe), acute kidney failure (renal insufficiency or failure) and symptoms of allergy to Omniscan (hives; shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or throat) are the most dangerous side effects that may be experienced by patients who are administered Omniscan.
These side effects are greatly increased in patients who have had prior histories of severe drug allergies, existing renal insufficiency and existing cardiovascular diseases.
Less dangerous side effects of Omniscan
About 3 percent of patients who are administered Omniscan for an MRI procedure experience dizziness, nausea and headaches.
These symptoms usually occur infrequently and alleviate as the Omniscan dye is metabolized by the body.
Pregnancy Category C
Pregnant women are strongly advised not to use Omniscan for MRI procedures. It is classified as a pregnancy category C drug by the FDA, meaning that it has been shown to induce birth defects in laboratory animals. It has not, however, been tested extensively on pregnant humans. Because of this, Omniscan should only be used in pregnant women if the benefits of the drug strongly outweigh the risk to the fetus. Talking to your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a debilitating disease that causes immobility and malfunction of bodily organs, skin and internal tissues. In some cases, it is fatal.
There are known links between Omniscan and NSF.
The risk of developing NSF increases substantially if patients who have existing renal failure are given Omniscan contrast dye. Due to this, patients with renal insufficiency should not be given Omniscan.
Tags: side effects, given Omniscan, renal insufficiency, administered Omniscan, associated with, associated with Omniscan