2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information

• Iopamidol injection is for intrathecal use only.
• Specific concentrations of iopamidol injection are recommended for each type of imaging procedure [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2, 2.3)].
• Individualize the volume, concentration, and injection rate of iopamidol injection according to the dosing tables [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2, 2.3)]. Consider factors such as age, body weight, anticipated pathology and degree and extent of opacification required, structure(s) or area to be examined, concomitant medical conditions, and imaging equipment and technique to be employed.
• Hydrate patients prior to and following iopamidol injection administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)] .
• Use aseptic technique for all handling and administration of iopamidol injection.
• Iopamidol injection may be administered at either body temperature (37°C, 98.6°F) or room temperature (20°C to 25°C, 68°F to 77°F).
• Visually inspect iopamidol injection for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever the solution and container permit. Do not administer iopamidol injection if particulate matter or discoloration are observed.
• Do not mix iopamidol injection with other drugs.
• Iopamidol injection is packaged in a single-dose vial and intended for one procedure only. Discard any unused portion.

2.2 Recommended Dosage for Intrathecal Procedures in Adults

• The recommended doses in adults are shown in Table 1.
• Administer over 1 minute to 2 minutes.
• Allow at least 48 hours before repeat administration to avoid overdose; however, whenever possible, 5 days to 7 days is recommended.
• If CT myelography is performed, delay imaging by at least 4 hours to reduce the degree of contrast.

2.3 Recommended Dosage for Intrathecal Procedures in Pediatric Patients Aged 2 Years and Older

• The recommended doses based on age for pediatric patients aged 2 years and older are shown in Table 2.
• Administer over 1 minute to 2 minutes.
• Allow at least 48 hours before repeat administration to avoid overdose; however, whenever possible, 5 days to 7 days is recommended.
• If CT myelography is performed, delay imaging by at least 4 hours to reduce the degree of contrast.

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions

Iopamidol injection can cause life-threatening or fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Manifestations include respiratory arrest, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, angioedema, and shock [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2)] . Most severe reactions develop shortly after the start of injection (e.g., within 1 to 3 minutes), but delayed reactions can also occur. There is increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions in patients with a history of previous reactions to contrast agents, and known allergic disorders (i.e., bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies) or other hypersensitivities.

Premedication with antihistamines or corticosteroids does not prevent serious life-threatening reactions, but may reduce their incidence and severity. Obtain a history of allergy or hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast agents and always have emergency resuscitation equipment and trained personnel available prior to iopamidol injection administration. Monitor all patients for hypersensitivity reactions.

5.2 Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury, including renal failure, may occur after administration of iodinated contrast agents. Risk factors include pre-existing renal insufficiency, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, advanced vascular disease, elderly age, concomitant use of nephrotoxic or diuretic medications, multiple myeloma or other paraproteinemias, and repetitive or large doses of iodinated contrast agents.

Use the lowest dose of iopamidol injection, especially in patients with risk factors for acute kidney injury. Adequately hydrate patients prior to and following iopamidol injection administration .

5.3 Increased Risk of Seizures

Focal and generalized motor seizures have been reported after intrathecal use of iodinated contrast agents including iopamidol injection. In several of the cases, higher than recommended doses were administered.

Use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold (phenothiazine derivatives, including those used for their antihistaminic properties; tricyclic antidepressants; MAO inhibitors; CNS stimulants; analeptics; antipsychotic agents) should be carefully evaluated. Consider discontinuing these agents at least 48 hours before and for at least 24 hours following intrathecal administration of iopamidol injection.

5.4 Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions

Iodinated contrast agents increase the circulatory osmotic load and may induce acute or delayed hemodynamic disturbances in patients with congestive heart failure, severely impaired renal function, combined renal and hepatic disease, and combined renal and cardiac disease, particularly when repetitive or large doses are administered. Fatal cardiovascular reactions have occurred mostly within 10 minutes of injection of iodinated contrast agent by an intravascular route; the main feature was cardiac arrest with cardiovascular disease as the main underlying factor. Hypotensive collapse and shock have occurred.

The administration of iodinated contrast agent may cause pulmonary edema in patients with heart failure. Based upon published reports, deaths associated with the administration of iodinated contrast agents range from 6.6 per 1 million (0.00066 percent) to 1 in 10,000 patients (0.01 percent).

Use the lowest necessary dose of iopamidol injection in patients with congestive heart failure and always have emergency resuscitation equipment and trained personnel available. Monitor all patients for severe cardiovascular reactions.

5.5 Thyroid Storm in Patients with Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid storm has occurred after the use of iodinated contrast agents in patients with hyperthyroidism, or with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule. Evaluate the risk in such patients before use of iopamidol injection.

5.6 Thyroid Dysfunction in Pediatric Patients 0 Years to 3 Years of Age

Thyroid dysfunction characterized by hypothyroidism or transient thyroid suppression has been reported after both single exposure and multiple exposures to iodinated contrast agents in pediatric patients 0 years to 3 years of age.

Younger age, very low birth weight, prematurity, underlying medical conditions affecting thyroid function, admission to neonatal or pediatric intensive care units, and congenital cardiac conditions are associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism after iodinated contrast agent exposure. Pediatric patients with congenital cardiac conditions may be at greatest risk given that they often require high doses of contrast during invasive cardiac procedures.

An underactive thyroid during early life may be harmful for cognitive and neurological development and may require thyroid hormone replacement therapy. After exposure to iodinated contrast agent, individualize thyroid function monitoring based on underlying risk factors, especially in term and preterm neonates. Iopamidol injection is not indicated for use in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4)] .

5.7 Hypertensive Crisis in Patients with Pheochromocytoma

Hypertensive crisis in patients with pheochromocytoma has occurred with iodinated contrast agents. Closely monitor patients when administering iopamidol injection if pheochromocytoma or catecholamine-secreting paragangliomas are suspected. Inject the minimum amount of iopamidol injection necessary and have measures for treatment of hypertensive crisis readily available.

5.8 Sickle Cell Crisis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Iodinated contrast agents may promote sickling in individuals who are homozygous for sickle cell disease. Hydrate patients prior to and following iopamidol injection administration and use only if the necessary imaging information cannot be obtained with alternative imaging modalities.

5.9 Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) may develop from 1 hour to several weeks after administration of iodinated contrast agent. These reactions include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Reaction severity may increase and time to onset may decrease with repeat administration of contrast agent; prophylactic medications may not prevent or mitigate severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Avoid administering iopamidol injection to patients with a history of a severe cutaneous adverse reaction to iopamidol injection.

5.10 Interference with Laboratory Test

Iopamidol injection can interfere with protein-bound iodine test [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2)] .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The safety of iopamidol injection was evaluated in 686 adult patients receiving iopamidol injection intrathecally in clinical studies. Table 3shows the common adverse reactions (>1%).

These reactions usually occur 1 to 10 hours after injection, almost all occurring within 24 hours.

The following additional adverse reactions occurred in ≤ 1% of patients receiving intrathecal injection of iopamidol injection:

Cardiovascular disorder:tachycardia, hypertension, chest pain

Gastrointestinal:diarrhea, heartburn

General disorders and administration site conditions:pyrexia, muscle weakness, hot flashes, malaise, fatigue, weakness, injection site pain

Musculoskeletal:leg cramps, sciatica, cervicobrachial irritation, meningeal irritation, radicular irritation lumbosacral, other musculoskeletal pain, involuntary movement, burning sensation

Nervous system:dizziness, paresthesia, confusion, hallucinations, lightheadedness, syncope, numbness, cold extremities, ataxia, irritability

Urogenital:urinary retention

Respiratory:dyspnea

Skin and subcutaneous tissues: rash

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of iopamidol injection and other iopamidol products. Because the reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:thrombocytopenia

Cardiovascular disorders:cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiac decompensation, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, shock, electrocardiographic changes (e.g., increased QTc, increased R-R, increased T-wave amplitude), decreased systolic pressure, deep vein thrombosis, arterial spasms, transient ischemic attack, flushing, vasodilation, chest pain, pallor

Endocrine disorders:hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism

Eye disorders:lacrimation increased, conjunctivitis, eye pruritus, transient blindness, visual disturbance, photophobia

Gastrointestinal disorders:retching, abdominal pain, salivary hypersecretion, salivary gland enlargement

General disorders and administration site conditions:chills, malaise

Immune system disorders:anaphylaxis characterized by cardiovascular, respiratory, and cutaneous manifestations (e.g., chest tightness, laryngeal edema, periorbital edema, facial edema); delayed hypersensitivity reactions including generalized maculopapular rash, erythema, pruritus, localized blistering, skin peeling

Infections and infestations:meningitis aseptic, meningitis bacterial as consequence of the procedural hazard

Musculoskeletal disorders:muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, muscular weakness

Nervous system:coma, seizure, tremors, syncope, cerebral edema, paralysis, depressed level of consciousness or loss of consciousness, meningism, encephalopathy

Psychiatric disorders:disorientation, agitation, restlessness, confusional state

Respiratory system disorders:respiratory arrest, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory distress, apnea, asthma, sneezing, choking, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, rhinitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), erythema multiforme and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), skin necrosis, face edema

7.1 Drug-Drug Interactions

Metformin

In patients with renal impairment, metformin can cause lactic acidosis. Iodinated contrast agents appear to increase the risk of metformin-induced lactic acidosis, possibly as a result of worsening renal function. Stop metformin at the time of, or prior to, iopamidol injection administration in patients with an eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2and in patients with a history of hepatic impairment, alcoholism, or heart failure. Re-evaluate eGFR 48 hours after administration of iopamidol injection and resume metformin only after renal function is stable.

Radioactive Iodine

Administration of iodinated contrast agents may interfere with thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine (I-131 and I-123) and decrease therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy. Avoid thyroid therapy or testing for up to 6 weeks post iopamidol injection.

7.2 Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions

Protein-Bound Iodine Test

Iodinated contrast agents will temporarily increase protein-bound iodine in blood. Avoid protein-bound iodine test for at least 16 days following administration of iopamidol injection. However, thyroid function tests that do not depend on iodine estimations, e.g., triiodothyronine (T 3) resin uptake and total or free thyroxine (T 4) assays, are not affected.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Available data from published literature and postmarketing cases from decades of use with iopamidol during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Iopamidol crosses the placenta and reaches fetal tissues in small amounts ( see Data). In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental outcomes were observed with intravenous administration of iopamidol to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 2.7 and 1.4 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose ( see Data).

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

Literature reports show that intravenously administered iopamidol crosses the placenta and is visualized in the digestive tract of exposed infants after birth.

Animal Data

Iopamidol did not affect fetal development and did not induce teratogenic changes in the offspring in either rats or rabbits at the following dose levels tested: 600 mg, 1,500 mg, or 4,000 mg iodine/kg in rats, administered intravenously once a day during days 6 through 15 of pregnancy; 300 mg, 800 mg, or 2,000 mg iodine/kg in rabbits, administered intravenously once a day during days 6 through 18 of pregnancy.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of iopamidol in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Iodinated contrast agents are present unchanged in human milk in very low amounts, with poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of a breastfed infant. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for iopamidol injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from iopamidol injection or from the underlying maternal condition.

Clinical Considerations

Interruption of breastfeeding after exposure to iodinated contrast agents is not necessary because the potential exposure of the breastfed infant to iodine is small. However, a lactating woman may consider interrupting breastfeeding and pumping and discarding breast milk for 10 hours (approximately 5 half- lives) after iopamidol injection administration in order to minimize drug exposure to a breastfed infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of iopamidol injection for lumbar and thoracic myelography and CT myelography have been established in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older.

Pediatric patients at higher risk of experiencing adverse reactions during and after any iodinated contrast agent administration may include those having asthma, sensitivity to medication or allergens, cyanotic heart disease, congestive heart failure, or serum creatinine greater than 1.5 mg/dL.

Thyroid function tests indicative of thyroid dysfunction, characterized by hypothyroidism or transient thyroid suppression have been reported following iodinated contrast agent administration in pediatric patients, including term and preterm neonates; Some patients were treated for hypothyroidism. After exposure to iodinated contrast agent, individualize thyroid function monitoring in pediatric patients 0 to 3 years of age based on underlying risk factors, especially in term and preterm neonates [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.2)] .

The safety and effectiveness of iopamidol injection for lumbar and thoracic myelography and CT myelography have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age.

The safety and effectiveness of iopamidol injection for cervical and total columnar myelography and CT myelography as well as for CT cisternography have not been established in pediatric patients of any age.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Iopamidol is excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to iopamidol injection may be greater in patients with renal impairment. Because patients 65 years of age and older are more likely to have renal impairment, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6)] .

8.6 Renal Impairment

The clearance of iopamidol decreases with increasing degree of renal impairment. In addition, preexisting renal impairment increases the risk for acute kidney injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)] .

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Intrathecal administration of iopamidol opacifies the body structures where the contrast agent is present, permitting their radiographic visualization through attenuation of photons.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Following intrathecal injection, iopamidol provides diagnostic contrast for at least 30 minutes for conventional myelography. At about 1 hour, contrast will no longer be sufficient for conventional myelography. However, diagnostic contrast for CT myelography remains at least 6 hours after administration. The exposure-response relationships and time course of pharmacodynamic response of iopamidol have not been fully characterized.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Iopamidol is absorbed into the bloodstream from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); following intrathecal administration, iopamidol appears in plasma within 1 hour and virtually all of the drug reaches the systemic circulation within 24 hours.

Distribution

Iopamidol did not bind to serum or plasma proteins at 1 hour after administration.

Elimination

The plasma half-life is approximately 2 hours; the half-life is not dose dependent .

Metabolism

Iopamidol does not undergo significant metabolism, deiodination, or biotransformation.

Excretion

Iopamidol is excreted mainly through the kidneys following intrathecal administration, and the drug is essentially undetectable in the plasma 48 hours later.

In patients with normal renal function, the cumulative urinary excretion for iopamidol, expressed as a percentage of administered intravenous dose is approximately 35% to 40% at 60 minutes, 80% to 90% at 8 hours, and 90% or more in the 72- to 96-hour period after administration. In patients with normal renal function, approximately 1% or less of the administered dose appears in cumulative 72- to 96-hour fecal specimens.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term studies in animals have not been performed with iopamidol to evaluate carcinogenic potential. No evidence of genetic toxicity was obtained in in vitrotests. In animal reproduction studies performed on rats, intravenously administered iopamidol did not induce adverse effects on fertility or general reproductive performance.