# Iodinated and barium contrast for CT and X-ray

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/iodinated-contrast-media/  
OnCo record `iodinated-contrast-media` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

The iodine-based dyes injected into a vein for most CT scans, and the drinks of iodine or barium that outline the gut. They make blood vessels, organs and many tumours stand out.

## Summary

The WHO groups water-soluble low-osmolar X-ray contrast media under ATC V08AB, including iohexol, iopamidol, iopromide, ioversol, iodixanol, iomeprol and iobitridol. Labels in the United States cover CT of the head and body, angiography and urography; several carry boxed warnings against intrathecal use, and iohexol's warns to use only the concentrations recommended for intrathecal procedures. Iopromide's label also covers contrast-enhanced mammography. Oral agents outline the gut: barium sulfate drinks for CT of the abdomen, and water-soluble diatrizoate (Gastrografin) when barium could be dangerous.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: standard-of-care
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: CT contrast; CT dye; Iodinated contrast; Iodine contrast; X-ray contrast; Oral contrast
- Tags: contrast-agents-gaps-2026-11
- Principle: Iodine and barium have high atomic numbers and absorb X-rays strongly, so tissues and spaces containing them appear bright; tumours with abnormal vessels enhance in characteristic phases after an intravenous injection.
- Since: 1958
- Strengths: Fast, widely available imaging of the whole body; Enhancement patterns help characterise tumours
- Limitations: Allergic-type reactions; Some agents are not for intrathecal use, per boxed warnings

## Sources

- WHO ATC index V08AB: low osmolar X-ray contrast media: https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=V08AB&showdescription=no

## Connected records

- cancers: [Breast cancer (all types)](https://onco.cc/cancers/breast-cancer/), [Colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/colorectal/), [Non-small-cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/nsclc/)
- fronts: [Imaging](https://onco.cc/fronts/imaging/)
- technologies: [Contrast-enhanced mammography](https://onco.cc/technologies/contrast-enhanced-mammography/), [CT (computed tomography)](https://onco.cc/technologies/ct/), [Gadolinium-based and other MRI contrast agents](https://onco.cc/technologies/gadolinium-based-contrast-agents/)
- drugs: [Barium sulfate oral contrast](https://onco.cc/drugs/barium-sulfate/), [Diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium (oral contrast)](https://onco.cc/drugs/diatrizoate/), [Ethiodized oil](https://onco.cc/drugs/ethiodized-oil/), [Iodixanol](https://onco.cc/drugs/iodixanol/), [Iohexol](https://onco.cc/drugs/iohexol/), [Iomeprol](https://onco.cc/drugs/iomeprol/), [Iopamidol](https://onco.cc/drugs/iopamidol/), [Iopromide](https://onco.cc/drugs/iopromide/), [Iothalamate meglumine (bladder contrast)](https://onco.cc/drugs/iothalamate-meglumine/), [Ioversol](https://onco.cc/drugs/ioversol/)
- companies: [Bayer](https://onco.cc/companies/bayer/), [Bracco (Bracco Imaging and Bracco Diagnostics)](https://onco.cc/companies/bracco/), [GE HealthCare](https://onco.cc/companies/ge-healthcare/)

---
JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/iodinated-contrast-media.json