Comments for consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
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Australian Prescriber Vol. 33 No. 1 2010
Dyes used for X-rays
Sometimes a patient may need an injection of dye, called contrast media, before they have an X-ray. This helps to make the X-ray clearer. Contrast media are usually safe. However, occasionally patients have side effects such as an allergic reaction or kidney problems which are usually temporary.
Precautions can be taken to reduce your risk of side effects from contrast dye so it is important to tell your doctor of any previous reactions you may have had.
To avoid kidney problems, patients will often have their kidney function checked before the X-ray procedure. Patients taking other medicines, such as metformin for diabetes, may be at risk of kidney problems when they receive contrast media. It is therefore important that you tell your doctor of any medicines you are taking.
