Amidotrizoic acid

The iodinated contrast agent Amidotrizoic acid is particularly preferred for examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and urological examinations. For examinations and small interventions in this area, amidotrizoic acid is one of the preferred preparations because the side effects are limited and the active ingredient can be broken down quickly via the kidneys.

What is amidotrizoic acid?

Amidotrizoic acid is an X-ray contrast medium that contains iodine and is water-soluble. In addition, the preparation has a high osmolality, which is between five and eight times that of the blood.

This term describes the distribution of water between the individual cells in body fluids. This contrast agent can be administered orally, rectally or by injections, which is done in the form of different saline solutions. Usually they are meglumine, sodium or L-lysine compounds.

These salts have a low tendency to bind protein, which is why the administration of amidotrizoic acid is associated with comparatively few side effects. Amidotrizoic acid is used exclusively for radiological examinations, mainly for examinations in the gastrointestinal area and in urology.

Pharmacological effect

Like all other contrast media, amidotrizoic acid is used to better represent the functions and structures of the body during radiological examinations, ultrasound or MRI. At the molecular level, amidotrizoic acid contains three iodine atoms per molecule.

These cause the vessels in which the preparation was injected to cast an X-ray shadow and thus become visible on the image. In amidotrizoic acid, the iodine atoms are arranged symmetrically, which creates the necessary contrast density. In addition, the preparation contains a carboxy group, which is a functional group responsible for salt formation. Carboxy groups are characterized by a double bonded oxygen atom and a hydroxyl group with a single bond.

Carboxt groups are those functional groups that occur most frequently in nature. In addition, amidotrizoic acid has acetylamino groups, which reduce the fat solubility of the active ingredient molecule. This significantly reduces the tendency towards protein binding. Due to the low tendency towards protein binding, administration of amidotrizoic acid leads to less damage to the membrane and enzymes are less likely to be inhibited in their mode of action.

Medical application & use

Contrast media containing amidotrizoic acid are mainly used in radiology for the following purposes: To show the gastrointestinal tract on X-rays. This is especially true if there is a suspicion that the stomach or intestines may be perforated.

Compared to contrast media that contain barium sulfate, amidotrizoic acid offers the advantage that chemical peritonitis cannot occur if the preparation penetrates the abdominal cavity. By using amidotrizoic acid, surgery to treat peritonitis can be avoided. Because this possible side effect does not apply to amidotrizoic acid, the preparation can also be used in relatively high concentrations, which enables a more detailed representation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Amidotrizoic acid is also used as a contrast agent in the urological and endoscopic area, for example when the urinary tract such as the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder or urethra is to be examined. With the help of amidotrizoic acid, the gall bladder, biliary tract or pancreatic duct are also examined more closely. The method of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used here. In addition to diagnosis, this procedure also allows therapeutic intervention.

Typical therapeutic measures carried out with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are the opening of the bile duct or the removal of gallstones. For this type of procedure, an endoscope with side-viewing optics is usually inserted orally. For the examination, amidotrizoic acid is injected into the affected organ against the direction of flow of the bile.

Risks & side effects

Amidotrizoic acid must not be used in patients who have cardiovascular diseases, impaired water or electrolysis, or impaired thyroid function, or who are hypersensitive to iodinated contrast media.

The reason: These problems can be increased considerably by the administration of amidotrizoic acid; in extreme cases, cardiac arrest can occur in patients with circulatory problems. Other side effects that you may experience include various allergic reactions, convulsions, and difficulty breathing. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract also frequently occur. Common side effects mentioned in this area include nausea and vomiting and diarrhea.