SAFETY AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF IOTROLAN IN HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY - RETENTION AND IRRITABILITY COMPARED WITH LIPIODOL

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors compared the safety and pharmaco kinetics of Iotrolan (water-soluble) in hysterosalpingography (HSG) wi th those of Lipiodol (oil-soluble). METHODS. Iotrolan and Lipiodol wer e administered intraperitoneally at doses of 100 mg iodine/kg to femal e rabbits, Retention in the body was investigated by x-ray imaging, pl asma kinetics, and urinary and fecal excretion, Irritability in the ab domen was investigated by histologic examination. RESULTS. Iotrolan wa s entirely excreted into the urine within 2 days after administration, Conversely, Lipiodol was excreted into the urine, had a half-life of 50 days, and was retained for more than 21 days in the abdomen, Iotrol an induced no inflammatory reaction in the abdomen, whereas Lipiodol i nduced a marked abdominal inflammatory reaction, including granuloma f ormation. Iotrolan had no effect on iodine concentration in the thyroi d; Lipiodol increased iodine concentration significantly. CONCLUSIONS. Iotrolan, which is a water-soluble and nonionic dimeric contrast medi um, has potential greater safety for use in HSG than Lipiodol.