Ultrawist

Ultravist is a diagnostic tool used for computed tomography, spinal cord and brain examinations, urography, arthrography, diagnostics of various diseases of the endocrine system, nervous system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, genitourinary system, as well as for diagnostics of tumors, including malignant ones. It is a transparent liquid that does not contain foreign particles. The main active ingredient is iopromide. This is a radiopaque liquid that is used for intravenous, intra-arterial administration, as well as into the cerebrospinal fluid. Ultravist is tolerated quite well, but side effects are still possible and there are a number of contraindications for use. The dose is selected by a specialist during preparation for the study. It depends on the patient's weight, age, type of diagnosis and other special instructions for the use of Ultravist. Below you can find full information on the use, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, various forms of release, special instructions for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the effect on the elderly, children of different age categories, as well as analogues on the pharmaceutical market. Ultavist is produced by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer Schering Pharma, which is located in Berlin. The price-quality ratio is high.

Indications Ultrawist

Ultravist is used only for research and is not a therapeutic agent indicated for the treatment of a number of diseases. It is used to diagnose all parts of the body. It is administered intravenously, intraarterially, and also into the spinal cord. Depending on the dose and indications, a diagnostician selects the type of examination. This may be computed tomography, spinal cord examination, arthrography, urography and other types that use contrast fluid. Various forms of release make it possible to economically use this drug in accordance with the required doses and duration of treatment.

Release form

Ultravist has different release forms. It is released in the form of vials of different dosages and volumes. The dosage is in accordance with the amount of the active substance - iopromide, i.e. 240 mg, 300 mg and 370 mg. The volume can be 10 ml per vial, 20 ml per vial, 50 ml per vial and 100 ml per vial, 200 ml per vial and 500 ml per vial. The variety of release forms allows you to choose the best option for a specific case of diagnostics and medical research. A specialist suggests a suitable option during preparation.

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Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of the effect of Ultravist on the human body is very simple. After oral administration, the liquid from the active substance increases the contrast during diagnostic studies using radiation methods, such as: computed tomography, spinal cord studies, arthrography, urography and others. Minimal pharmacological activity characterizes Ultavist, while binding to proteins in the blood is insignificant. The effect on the kidneys and cardiovascular system is very small.

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Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics of Ultravist includes absorption of active substances, their distribution in the body, metabolic processes and the final stage of excretion. After intravenous or intra-arterial administration of the drug, it is quickly distributed in the body, after 1-5 minutes it is already possible to conduct a medical examination. A third of the active substances can be detected in the blood plasma three minutes after administration. In clinically acceptable doses of the drug, its metabolites are not detected. That is, there is no metabolism as such. If the patient's kidneys are functioning normally, then there should be no problems with excretion. If this function is impaired, then specialists will pay special attention to this issue. Usually, after 2 hours, iopromide is half excreted from the body.

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Dosing and administration

Regarding the method of application and dosage, there is a huge variety. Ultravist is administered intravenously, intraarterially, and also administered directly into the spinal cord, or more precisely, the fluid through the membranes of the brain. The drug must be heated to the body temperature of the person who will undergo the study. The Ultavist solution must be used once and immediately after opening the bottle. The dose is calculated according to the patient's body weight, age, general condition of the body, method of medical examination, paying special attention to risk groups and possible contraindications for use.

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Use Ultrawist during pregnancy

It is contraindicated to use Ultravist during pregnancy, since the safety of this drug has not been established. If there is an urgent need to take the drug, then you should consult with your doctor about Ultravist analogues and the advisability of its use during pregnancy. Do not forget about the risks that may lie in wait for the mother and the future baby. How will the drug affect the development of the child in the womb and after birth? If there is a need to prescribe during breastfeeding, then this drug is used. The active substance is partially excreted in breast milk. According to modern observations, this does not harm infants.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of Ultravist should be carefully studied before use. There are no categorical contraindications, but it should be used very carefully in diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic insufficiency, in case of repeated use or a significant increase in the dose of Ultravist. Do not forget about possible hypersensitivity to the active components, take into account the patient's age, because older people have a harder time with the introduction of contrast agents for examinations. The use of the drug during pregnancy is contraindicated. If there is a need for it, then it is worth assessing the ratio of harm and benefit from the examination for the mother and the future baby.

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Side effects Ultrawist

When Ultravist is injected into the vessels, there are usually no side effects or they are tolerated in a mild form. Various sensations are possible, such as: nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, allergic reactions (rashes on the body, itching of the skin, urticaria), changes in body temperature (increase or decrease). But do not be careless about negative sensations and symptoms, because there are also severe forms of side effects of Ultravist, which can lead to serious complications and even death. But at the same time, do not be afraid of the study and possible reactions, because the feeling of fear intensifies and increases the likelihood of side effects.

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Overdose

Long-term studies of Ultravist, which were conducted on animals, did not show any particularly severe forms of overdose and intoxication of the body as a whole. Unpleasant sensations from the cardiovascular system and lungs are possible. For this, it is worth monitoring the kidneys and the removal of fluid from the body. Hemodialysis will be effective, since the contrast fluid is perfectly removed from the body. In the future, the patient's condition should be monitored for the next three days. Difficulty breathing, convulsions, inhibition and other side effects from the central nervous system are possible.

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Interactions with other drugs

There are certain instructions on the interaction of Ultravist with other drugs. This method of taking drugs for studying the thyroid gland function is not recommended. Since the indications may not be credible. After the introduction of the drug Ultravist, 10 days should pass, and preferably two weeks. If the patient uses certain antidepressants, then the seizure threshold may decrease. Thus, the risk of reactions associated with the use of contrast fluid increases. When taking immunomodulatory agents, delayed reactions are possible. This is fever, chills, a feeling of the initial stage of flu.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for Ultravist are very simple. It should be kept in a dry, dark place at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Children should not have access to the medicine. The shelf life is no more than 3 years for vials. An opened vial should be used immediately, without storing it in the refrigerator or other place. Active components lose their medicinal properties. Ultravist cannot be used after the expiration date. An expired drug may have a completely different effect on the course of research. Before use, carefully read the date of manufacture and instructions for use.

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Special instructions

Analogues of Ultravist

If you could not find Ultravist in pharmacies, there is an analogue. This drug is called Iopromide. It is produced by Fermex-Group LLC. This company is located in the Kyiv region and is one of the most modernly equipped manufacturing companies in the CIS, and has a huge research base on its base. Compared to other post-Soviet manufacturers, this complex is equipped in accordance with the requirements of the latest European standards in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the quality. The drug can only be replaced by a specialist who will conduct the study.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of Ultravist is 3 years, subject to the storage rules, temperature conditions, lighting and other necessary parameters. After three years, it is strictly forbidden to use the drug. Therefore, you should carefully look at the date of manufacture of this drug when buying it at a pharmacy, and especially if it has been in the medicine cabinet for a long time. Do not forget that a drug that has expired does not retain its medicinal qualities.

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