Ultravist: A Non-Ionic Iodinated Contrast Agent for X-Ray Imaging
Ultravist is a brand name of iopromide, an iodinated contrast medium for X-ray imaging. It is produced by Bayer Healthcare and is available in different concentrations of iodine: 150 mg/mL, 240 mg/mL, 300 mg/mL, and 370 mg/mL. Ultravist is a low osmolar, non-ionic contrast agent for intravascular use; i.e., it is injected into blood vessels to enhance the visibility of various body structures and organs in radiographic procedures such as computed tomography (CT), angiography, arteriography, venography, urography, and contrast mammography.
Benefits of Ultravist
Ultravist has several benefits as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging. Some of them are:
- It has a low osmolality, which means it causes less fluid shift and less risk of adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and pain.
- It has a neutral pH, which means it is less irritating to the blood vessels and tissues.
- It has a high solubility and stability, which means it does not precipitate or degrade in the body.
- It has a low viscosity, which means it can be injected easily and rapidly.
- It has a high iodine content, which means it provides high contrast and image quality.
Indications and Dosage of Ultravist
Ultravist is indicated for various radiographic contrast procedures depending on the concentration and injection route. The following table summarizes the indications and dosage of Ultravist according to the product monograph .
| Concentration | Indication | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 150 mg/mL | Digital subtraction angiography (carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, aorta, major branches of the abdominal aorta) | Intra-arterial single injection dose: 6-10 mL for carotid arteries; 4-8 mL for vertebral arteries; 20-50 mL for aorta; 2-20 mL for major branches of the abdominal aorta. Not to exceed 250 mL cumulative dose. |
| 300 mg/mL | Cerebral arteriography (carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, aortic arch injection) | Intra-arterial single injection dose: 3-12 mL for carotid arteries; 4-12 mL for vertebral arteries; 20-50 mL for aortic arch injection. Not to exceed 150 mL cumulative dose. |
| Peripheral arteriography (subclavian or femoral artery, aortic bifurcation) | Intra-arterial single injection dose: 5-40 mL for subclavian or femoral artery; 25-50 mL for aortic bifurcation. Not to exceed 250 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Excretory urography | Intravenous dose: ~300 mg/kg (with normal renal function). Not to exceed 100 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Contrast computed tomography (head, body) | Intravenous dose: 50-200 mL for head; 50-200 mL for body (bolus injection); 100-200 mL for body (rapid infusion). Not to exceed 200 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Arthrography | Intra-articular dose: depends on the joint size and the technique used. Usually ranges from 3 to 15 mL. | |
| 370 mg/mL | Coronary arteriography and left ventriculography | Intra-arterial single injection dose: 3-14 mL for right or left coronary artery; 30-60 mL for left ventricle. Not to exceed 225 mL cumulative dose. |
| Visceral angiography | Intra-arterial dose: depends on the blood flow and the vascular and pathological characteristics of the specific vessels being studied. Not to exceed 225 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Excretory urography | Intravenous dose: ~300 mg/kg (with normal renal function). Not to exceed 100 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Contrast computed tomography (head, body) | Intravenous dose: 41-162 mL for head; 41-162 mL for body (bolus injection); 81-162 mL for body (rapid infusion). Not to exceed 162 mL cumulative dose. | |
| Arthrography | Intra-articular dose: depends on the joint size and the technique used. Usually ranges from 3 to 15 mL. | |
| 300 mg/mL or 370 mg/mL | Contrast mammography | Intravenous dose: 1.5 mL/kg using a power injector at 2-4 mL/second. Not to exceed 150 mL cumulative dose. |
Price of Ultravist in Different Countries
The price of Ultravist may vary depending on the country, the concentration, the packaging size, and the supplier. The following table shows some examples of the price of Ultravist in different countries based on web search results . The prices are converted to US dollars for comparison purposes and may not reflect the actual market prices.
: https://www.bayer.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/ultravist-pm-en.pdf
: https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/ultravist
: https://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/iopromide-injection-300.html
: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/iopromide-injection-usp-20412756573.html
| Country | Concentration | Packaging Size | Price (USD) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 370 mg/mL | 100 mL | $59.00 | |
| India | 300 mg/mL | 50 mL | $21.54 | |
| India | 370 mg/mL | 50 mL | $15.01 |