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Urografin
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Urografin injection solution belongs to the category of iodine-containing radiocontrast agents.
Indications Urographine
Urografin injection solution is used for intravenous and retrograde urography.
Urografin can also be used for any angiographic diagnostic procedures, for arthrographic and cholangiographic studies. The drug is actively used in ERCP (cholangiopancreatography), as well as in sialographic and fistulographic procedures, or in hysterosalpingography.
Release form
The injection aqueous solution Urografin has the appearance of a transparent liquid without a specific color shade.
The active ingredients of Urografin are amidotrizoic acid and meglumine.
The drug is packaged in transparent or orange glass ampoules of 20 ml. Ten ampoules are in a tight container placed in a cardboard pack.
Another type of packaging for Urografin is also possible - 120 ampoules in a cardboard box, packed in dense container cell packs of ten pieces.
Pharmacodynamics
Urografin helps to enhance the contrast of the image: iodine present in amidotrizoate absorbs X-rays.
The pharmacological properties of Urografin can be described as follows:
- Urografin 60%:
- iodine concentration 292 mg per ml;
- osmolarity 1.5 osmoles per kg H2O;
- viscosity level of 7.2 and 4 mPa/sec at 20° and 37°C respectively;
- density level of 1.33 and 1.323 g per ml at 20° and 37°C, respectively;
- pH level from 6.0 to 7.0.
- Urografin 76%:
- iodine concentration 370 mg per ml;
- osmolarity 2.1 osmoles per kg H2O;
- viscosity level of 18.5 and 8.9 mPa/sec at 20° and 37°C respectively;
- density level of 1.418 and 1.411 g per ml at 20° and 37°C, respectively;
- pH level from 6.0 to 7.0.
It has been experimentally confirmed that Urografin does not have mutagenic, teratogenic, embryotoxic or genotoxic properties. No oncogenic effect of the drug has been detected either.
Pharmacokinetics
After intravenous administration of Urografin, its binding to plasma proteins can reach no more than 10%.
Five minutes after intravenous bolus infusion of 60% solution in the amount of 1 ml/kg of weight, the concentration of Urografin in the serum is determined, in accordance with the amount of iodine 2-3 g/l. Over the course of three hours after the infusion of Urografin, a relatively rapid decrease in the concentration content is detected: the half-life in this case is 1-2 hours.
The active ingredient does not penetrate into red blood cells. When infused intravascularly, it spreads well through the intercellular substance. It does not pass through the intact hematoencephalic membrane and is found in small quantities in breast milk.
A diagnostic amount of the drug undergoes glomerular renal filtration. Approximately 15% of Urografin is excreted unchanged with urine within half an hour after infusion. More than half of the total amount of the drug leaves the body within three hours.
Distribution and excretion of Urografin is independent of the amount of the drug administered. An increase or increase in dosage leads to an increase or decrease in the level of contrast in the bloodstream. However, given the increase in osmotic diuresis with an increase in dosage, the concentration content of the contrast in the urine does not increase equally.
Dosing and administration
If the patient is to undergo urography or angiography of the abdominal area, the stomach should be cleansed. Two days before the diagnostics, it is necessary to exclude products that provoke bloating (peas, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, bread). The last time before the examination, food can be taken no later than 18 hours before. It is advisable to take a laxative the evening before the procedure.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe sedatives.
The doctor draws Urografin into a syringe immediately before the diagnosis. High-quality Urografin is usually transparent or has a slight yellowish tint. If the solution has a different color, sediment, or if the integrity of the ampoule has been compromised, the drug is not used.
If any solution remains after the procedure, they must be disposed of. The remaining product cannot be used.
The amount of Urografin administered is determined individually. If the patient suffers from kidney or cardiovascular diseases, the amount of the drug should be minimized if possible.
When performing angiography, catheters are flushed as often as possible to avoid thrombus formation. If Urografin is injected into vessels, it is preferable for the patient to remain in a horizontal position at this time. After the solution is injected, the patient's condition should be closely monitored by a doctor for half an hour.
If a single administration of more than 300 ml of Urografin is required, additional electrolyte infusion should be prescribed.
The most comfortable infusion of Urografin is expected after heating the solution to a temperature of 37°C. In this case, only the volume of the drug that is expected to be injected is heated.
It is recommended to conduct a preliminary Urografin test to determine the body's hypersensitivity to the contrast agent.
Intravenous urography is performed at an infusion rate of 20 ml per minute. If the patient suffers from heart failure, the infusion duration should be at least 20-30 minutes.
The standard dose for an adult patient is 20 ml of 76% Urografin or 50 ml of 60% Urografin. The dosage is increased for individual indications.
In childhood, a 76% solution is used:
- from 0 to 1 year – up to 10 ml;
- from 1 to 2 years – from 10 to 12 ml;
- from 2 to six years – from 12 to 15 ml;
- from six to 12 years old – from 15 to 20 ml;
- For children over 12 years old, adult dosages are used.
Infusion of Urografin should be carried out with a duration of not less than five minutes and not longer than 10 minutes. For patients with insufficient cardiac activity, the duration of the infusion is extended to half an hour.
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Use Urographine during pregnancy
Studies conducted using the active ingredients of Urografin have not confirmed the likelihood of teratogenic and embryotoxic effects of the injection solution. However, there is currently insufficient clinical experience with the use of Urografin in women during pregnancy and lactation.
Considering the undesirability of using the X-ray examination method during pregnancy in general, it is impossible to assert the possibility of using the contrast method.
During the lactation period, Urografin is used for contrast radiography only according to strict indications.
Contraindications
Urografin cannot be used in patients with significant hyperthyroidism, as well as with heart failure in the decompensation stage.
Urografin is not suitable for myelographic, ventriculographic and cisternographic procedures due to the risk of neurotoxic effects.
Hysterosalpingography is not prescribed to pregnant women and patients with acute forms of inflammatory reactions in the pelvic area.
Cholangiopancreatography is not performed during periods of exacerbation of pancreatitis.
Relative contraindications to Urografin are:
- hypersensitivity to iodine preparations;
- severe liver or renal filtration disorders;
- heart failure;
- pulmonary emphysema;
- cerebral arteriosclerosis;
- diabetes mellitus in the decompensation stage;
- hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules;
- spasms of cerebral vessels.
Side effects Urographine
When Urografin is administered intravascularly, side effects are in most cases moderate and disappear on their own. However, there are descriptions of a number of cases with severe side effects.
The most common manifestations are dyspeptic symptoms, abdominal pain and a feeling of heat in the body.
- Allergic manifestations may be expressed as angioedema, inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, cough, skin rashes, rhinitis. Such signs are not dose-dependent in all cases. If the first symptoms of an anaphylactoid reaction are detected, then the administration of Urografin should be immediately stopped and specific treatment should be started.
In severe cases, the infusion of Urografin may be accompanied by dilation of peripheral vessels, cardiac dysfunction, respiratory depression, a state of agitation, and impaired consciousness.
Broncho- and laryngospasm and decreased blood pressure were rarely observed.
Among the general reactions, the most common are a feeling of heat and pain in the head. Less frequently, fever and fainting may occur.
From the respiratory system, cough, difficulty breathing, and, less commonly, pulmonary edema are observed.
Development of tachycardia or bradycardia, fluctuations in blood pressure, arrhythmia is possible. Thromboembolism and myocardial infarction occur extremely rarely.
Attacks of nausea and vomiting are typical.
During angiography of cerebral vessels, neurological signs may occur in the form of dizziness, headaches, changes in consciousness, speech disorders, visual dysfunction, convulsions, tremors in the limbs, and drowsiness.
Stroke is considered an extremely rare complication.
Perivascular injection of Urografin can cause local pain, tissue swelling, without the development of thrombosis and phlebitis.
- Side effects are rare when Urografin is administered intracavitarily. Increased amylase levels may be observed during ERCP. Pancreatitis is rarely observed.
Overdose
If a large amount of Urografin solution is accidentally administered, it can be removed from the body by extracorporeal dialysis.
Storage conditions
Urografin is stored at a standard temperature regime, the indicators of which do not exceed +30°C. The drug must be protected from bright sunlight, from exposure to X-rays, and from free access by children.
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Shelf life
Urografin can be stored for up to 5 years in packaged form.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Urografin" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.