Iomeprol: a review of its use as a contrast medium

Iomeprol is a nonionic, monomeric iodinated contrast medium. Unlike the older ionic agents, iomeprol has low chemotoxicity, osmolality and viscosity and high water solubility. Compared with other nonionic contrast media, the osmolality and viscosity are lower and the water solubility is reported to be higher with iomeprol. Most radiographs (about 67 to 100%) obtained with iomeprol (containing 150 to 400 mg/ml of iodine) were of good or excellent quality in noncomparative and comparative trials recruiting 40 to 6127 patients undergoing various radiographic procedures. As expected, the diagnostic efficacy of iomeprol did not differ significantly from that of other nonionic agents (iopamidol, iopromide, iohexol and iotrolan). Iomeprol (containing 150 to 400 mg/ml of iodine) was well tolerated in clinical trials. Most adverse events were transient and of mild to moderate intensity and were similar to those observed with other contrast media. The overall incidence of adverse events ranged from 3 to 49.7% and mainly included localised pain (< or =6%) and heat sensations (8 to 45%), taste disturbances (3 to 27%) and various pseudoallergic reactions (< or =20% for each type of event). The incidence of heat or pain and taste disturbances with iomeprol was similar to that observed with iopromide and iopamidol. Pain (but not heat sensations) was reported significantly less frequently and taste disturbances reported significantly more frequently with iomeprol than with iohexol in a comparative trial. Pseudoallergic reactions (such as nausea, vomiting, skin reactions, dizziness, headache) were significantly less common with iomeprol than with ioxaglate and occurred at a similar frequency to that with iopromide and iopamidol. Cardiovascular events were rarely observed with iomeprol. Currently available iomeprol solutions contain a range of iodine concentrations (150 to 400 mg/ml) and are approved for a wide variety of diagnostic procedures. Iomeprol solutions are chemically stable which negates the need for chelating agents. Formulations of this agent are therefore the first not to contain edetic acid (EDTA).

Iomeprol shows equivalent diagnostic efficacy, and a similar adverse event profile, to that of other nonionic contrast media. The availability of a range of iodine concentrations enables iomeprol to be used in a variety of diagnostic procedures. Iomeprol, like others in its class, is suitable for use in diagnostic imaging.