Diatrizoate Sodium

Diatrizoate sodium is a powder that is mixed with a solution and injected into the veins prior to a gastrointestinal x-ray. This medication provides contrast in the x-ray so that doctors can easily find tumors when looking at the results of the exam.

Warnings/Side Effects

It’s dangerous to inject this medication intrathecally, or underneath the membrane of the brain and spinal cord. Intrathecal injections cause serious adverse reactions such as seizures, high fever and sudden cardiac arrest.

This medication should be used only for gastrointestinal radiological exams. It should not be used for catheter placement or other epidural procedures because there’s a risk of inadvertent intrathecal injection with these procedures.