Nausea | What side effects can occur with an MRI?

Nausea

In general, magnetic resonance imaging is a very gentle examination without side effects. Nevertheless, patients repeatedly describe complaints during the examination. The most common side effects include mild to moderate nausea.

However, this is not due to the MRI itself, but rather to the administration of contrast medium, which is often necessary in order to better visualize certain structures and organs. However, it is usually quite easy to combat this nausea. So-called antiemetics (from the Greek “anti” – against and “emesis” – vomiting) can be administered for this purpose, including the drugs Vomex® (dimenhydrinate), Motilium® (domperidone) and Metoclopramid® (MCP). If complaints such as nausea have already occurred with previous administration of contrast media, antiemetics can also be administered preventively before magnetic resonance imaging, so that no nausea occurs in the first place.In any case, it is advisable to inform employees present at the time of the onset of the nausea of any complaints.

Headaches

Headache as a side effect of MRI examinations usually occurs directly after administration of contrast medium. It is important to know that most complaints subside within a short period of time after the administration of contrast medium. The contrast medium (in most cases “gadolinium” is used here) is excreted via the kidneys within half an hour to one hour, so that the complaints usually subside after a few hours.

What are the side effects of MRI during pregnancy?

According to the current state of knowledge, magnetic resonance imaging has no effects on the human body and therefore no harmful side effects. Therefore, no harmful consequences are to be expected for the unborn child as well as for the adult human being. However, in order to avoid any side effects that may still be unknown today, magnetic resonance imaging during pregnancy should nevertheless only be performed in urgent cases.

In any case, the administration of MRI contrast medium to pregnant women cannot be justified. If contrast medium is necessary for the success of the MRI, it must therefore be postponed until after the birth of the child. In addition, breastfeeding women should not breastfeed for 24 hours after the administration of contrast medium, as the contrast medium may spill into the breast milk.