Eovist (gadoxetate) is a contrast agent. It is used in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to allow blood vessels, organs, and other non-bony tissues to be seen more clearly on the MRI.
Eovist is used to help diagnose certain disorders of the liver.
Eovist may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Eovist can cause a life-threatening condition in people with advanced kidney disease. The symptoms of this condition include:
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burning, itching, swelling, scaling, and tightening or hardening of your skin;
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muscle weakness;
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joint stiffness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
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deep bone pain in your ribs or your hips;
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trouble moving; or
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skin redness or discoloration.
Before receiving Eovist, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis. You may not be able to receive Eovist. Also tell your doctor if you have recently received any contrast agents similar to gadoxetate.
Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease (or liver transplant), anemia or other red blood cell disorder, a heart rhythm disorder, a personal or family history of Long QT Syndrome, asthma or allergies, if you are over 60 years old, if you have ever had a reaction to a contrast agent, or if you have recently had an injury, surgery, or severe infection.
Your doctor or other healthcare provider may want to watch you for a short time after your test is over. This is to make sure you do not have any unwanted side effects or delayed reactions.
Before receiving Eovist
Eovist can cause a life-threatening condition in people with advanced kidney disease. The symptoms of this condition include:
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burning, itching, swelling, scaling, and tightening or hardening of your skin;
-
muscle weakness;
-
joint stiffness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
-
deep bone pain in your ribs or your hips;
-
trouble moving; or
-
skin redness or discoloration.
Before receiving Eovist, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis. You may not be able to receive an MRI with Eovist. Also tell your doctor if you have recently received any contrast agents similar to gadoxetate.
To make sure you can safely receive Eovist, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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diabetes;
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high blood pressure;
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liver disease (or liver transplant);
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a heart rhythm disorder;
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a personal or family history of Long QT Syndrome;
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anemia or other red blood cell disorder;
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asthma, hay fever, or a history of food or drug allergies;
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if you are over 60 years old;
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if you have ever had a reaction to a contrast agent; or
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if you have recently had an injury, surgery, or severe infection.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Eovist is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether gadoxetate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed for at least 10 hours after receiving Eovist. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How is Eovist given?
Eovist is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting during your MRI.
Your doctor or other healthcare provider may want to watch you for a short time after your test is over. This is to make sure you do not have any unwanted side effects or delayed reactions.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.
Eovist can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests for at least 24 hours after your MRI. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have received Eovist
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Eovist is used only during your MRI, you will not be on a dosing schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
Since Eovist is given by a healthcare pofessional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid?
Follow your doctor"s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Eovist side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Eovist: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some of the side effects of Eovist can occur up to several days after you have received the medication.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite;
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swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
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swelling, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given.
Less serious side Eovist effects may include:
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headache, dizziness;
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nausea, vomiting;
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unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
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mild itching or skin rash;
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changes in your sense of taste or smell;
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flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
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feeling unusually hot; or
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cold feeling, warmth, pain, bruising, swelling, or burning where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Eovist?
Tell your doctor if you are also taking rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate).
Eovist can harm the kidneys in certain people, and this effect may be increased if you also use other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before you receive Eovist, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.
There may be other drugs that can affect Eovist. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
