# Diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium (oral contrast)

Source: https://onco.cc/drugs/diatrizoate/  
OnCo record `diatrizoate` (Imaging agent). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A drink of iodine-based dye used to outline the gut on X-rays and CT scans, especially when a leak or perforation is possible and barium would be unsafe.

## Summary

Bracco's Gastrografin (NDA 011245, first approved 17 January 1958) "is indicated for radiographic examination of segments of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, proximal small intestine, and colon)" and "is particularly indicated when a more viscous agent such as barium sulfate, which is not water-soluble, is not feasible or is potentially dangerous". It may also be used as an adjunct for CT of the torso to distinguish bowel loops.

## Fields

- Kind: Imaging agent
- Status: approved
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: diatrizoate; Gastrografin; amidotrizoate; diatrizoic acid
- Tags: contrast-agents-gaps-2026-11; diagnostic
- Brand: Gastrografin
- Modality: Water-soluble iodinated contrast agent for X-ray and CT of the bowel (oral or rectal)
- Mechanism: An ionic iodinated molecule that fills the bowel and absorbs X-rays, outlining the gut; being water-soluble, it is safer than barium where a leak is possible.
- Approvals: US 1958: Radiographic examination of the gastrointestinal tract; adjunct to CT of the torso

## Sources

- Drugs@FDA Gastrografin (NDA 011245): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=011245
- DailyMed label: Gastrografin: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8c2340e4-2b42-45dc-8fac-9960e8172547

## Connected records

- technologies: [CT (computed tomography)](https://onco.cc/technologies/ct/), [Iodinated and barium contrast for CT and X-ray](https://onco.cc/technologies/iodinated-contrast-media/)
- companies: [Bracco (Bracco Imaging and Bracco Diagnostics)](https://onco.cc/companies/bracco/)

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