Amidotrizoic acid, an iodine-containing contrast agent, is the preferred choice for examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and for urologic examinations. For examinations and minor procedures in this area, amidotrizoic acid is among the preferred preparations because side effects are limited and the agent can be rapidly cleared by the kidney.
What is amidotrizoic acid?
Amidotrizoic acid is an x-ray contrast agent that contains iodine and is water soluble. Amidotrizoic acid is an X-ray contrast agent that contains iodine and is water soluble. It also has a high osmolality, between five and eight times that of blood. This term is used in body fluids to describe the distribution of water between individual cells. This contrast agent can be administered orally, rectally, or by injection, which takes the form of various saline solutions. Usually, these are meglumine, sodium or L-lysine compounds. These salts have a low tendency to bind protein, which is why the administration of amidotrizoic acid is associated with comparatively few side effects. Amidotrizoic acid is used exclusively in radiologic examinations, mainly for gastrointestinal and urologic examinations.
Pharmacologic action
Like all other contrast agents, amidotrizoic acid is used to better visualize functions and structures of the body during radiological examinations, ultrasound or MRI. At the molecular level, amidotrizoic acid contains three iodine atoms per molecule. These cause the vessels into which the preparation has been injected to cast an X-ray shadow and thus become visible on the image. In amidotrizoic acid, the iodine atoms are arranged symmetrically, which creates the necessary contrast density. In addition, the preparation contains a carboxy group, which is the functional group responsible for salt formation. Characteristic of carboxy groups is a double-bonded oxygen atom and a hydroxyl group with a single bond. Carbox groups are those functional groups which occur most frequently in nature. In addition, amidotrizoic acid has acetylamino groups, which reduce the fat solubility of the drug molecule. As a result, the tendency for protein binding decreases considerably. Due to the low tendency for protein binding, less membrane damage occurs when amidotrizoic acid is administered, and enzymes are less likely to be inhibited in their mode of action.
Medical application and use
Contrast agents containing amidotrizoic acid are used in radiology primarily for the following purposes: To visualize the gastrointestinal tract on radiographs. This is especially true when there is a suspicion that the stomach or intestines may be perforated. Compared to contrast media containing barium sulfate, amidotrizoic acid offers the advantage that chemical peritonitis cannot occur if the preparation should penetrate into the abdominal cavity. Thus, by using amidotrizoic acid, surgical intervention to treat peritonitis can be avoided. Because this potential side effect is eliminated with amidotrizoic acid, the preparation can also be used at relatively high concentrations, allowing more detailed imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, amidotrizoic acid is used as a contrast agent in urology and endoscopy, for example when the draining urinary tract such as the renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder or urethra are to be examined. Amidotrizoic acid is also used to examine the gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreatic duct in more detail. The method of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography is used for this purpose. With this procedure, therapeutic intervention is possible in addition to diagnosis. Typical therapeutic procedures performed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography include opening of the bile duct or removal of gallstones. Typically, an endoscope that has a side-view scope is inserted orally for these types of procedures. Amidotrizoic acid is injected into the affected organ against the direction of bile flow for the examination.
Risks and side effects
Amidotrizoic acid should not be used in patients who have cardiovascular disease, impaired water or electrolyte balance or thyroid function, or who are hypersensitive to iodine-containing contrast media. The reason: these problems can be considerably increased by the administration of amidotrizoic acid; in extreme cases, patients with circulatory problems may even suffer cardiac arrest. Other side effects that can occur include various allergic reactions, convulsions, and breathing disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders are also common. Common side effects mentioned in this area include nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.