An oral suspension of synthetic crystalline aqueous orange-flavored MRI contrast agent to enhance delineation of the bowel. Gadolite contains gadolinium, a lanthanide metal with paramagnetic characteristics. The toxic Gd is bound to become inert, along with water, inside a zeolite crystalline lattice structure. Gadolite gives a bright signal, and provides improved definition of the gastrointestinal tract from adjacent tissues.
Pharmacyclics receives an approvable letter from the FDA for Gadolite® Oral Suspension and in the United Kingdom an European marketing agreement signed with E-Z-Em, Ltd. in Dec. 1996.

Gadovist® is an extracellular, neutral macrocyclic (gadolinium (Gd) complex) MRI contrast agents for central nervous system indications, particularly suited for studies in which high doses are required or advantageous. Gadovist® (also Gadograf) was available in two concentrations, currently only Gadovist® 1.0 is marketed.
The product was approved in Switzerland in 1999 and in Germany in 2000. Gadovist® 1.0 is in USA currently in the drug development and approval process, particularly for magnetic resonance angiography.

WARNING: NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73m²), or acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.

See also Paramagnetic Contrast Agents and Gadobutrol.

GastroMARK® belongs to the negative oral contrast agents (same as Lumirem®, another brand name for ferumoxsil). GastroMARK® is used to distinguish the loops of the bowel from other abdominal structures and physiology. When GastroMARK® is ingested, it flows through and darkens the stomach and the small intestine in 30 to 45 minutes. By more clearly identifying the intestinal loops, GastroMARK® improves visualization of adjacent abdominal tissues such as the pancreas.

Perflubron® is a perfluorochemical for use as an oral contrast agent. Due to its insolubility in water it does not mix with intestinal secretions; thus bowel lumina appear homogeneously dark on MR images when Perflubron® replaces bowel contents. Filled bowel loops appear black with all pulse sequences because the contrast agent lacks mobile protons.
It is commercially available as Imagent GI. Because rapid transit through the gastrointestinal tract it reaches the rectum within 30 to 40 minutes in most patients. MR imaging of the upper abdominal region should begin within 15 minutes and of the pelvic region 15 to 60 minutes after ingestion of perflubron.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.

Oral administration of this liposomal encapsulated manganese chloride results in a reduction of the T1 relaxation time causing enhanced signal on T1 weighted MR images. Bracco received marketing approval in December 1997 in the United States, but marketing state is still uncertain.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.