[Pharmacotoxicological profile of a non-ionic LOCM at high hydrophilicity: ioversol]

The authors summarize the results of the main preclinical studies conducted to evaluate the tolerance of ioversol (Optiray), a new non ionic Low Osmolality Contrast Medium (LOCM). The various studies conducted by different routes of administration, in a number of animal species and at different dosages led to the conclusion that the product was equivalent or superior to the other non ionic agents used as references. This high inertia towards the biological systems particularly well evidenced in the neurologic tolerance studies has to be relied to the non ionic LOCM character of the agent but also to its highest hydrophilicity in its class and to the good distribution of this hydrophilicity around the molecule. These physiochemical characteristics which differentiate ioversol from the other products of its class make it a promising product for clinical use in humans.