Barium Sulfate 0.1% Oral Suspension Shortage

• • NeuLumEX oral suspension, Bracco Diagnostics, 0.1%, 450 mL bottle, NDC 32909-0927-03

• • Bracco discontinued NeuLumEX (previously Volumen) in April 2024.
  • Bracco was the sole supplier of barium sulfate 0.1% oral suspension.

• • There are no presentations available

Alternative Agents & Management

• • Barium sulfate 0.1% oral suspension was compared with Breeza, a flavored beverage used for neutral abdominal and pelvic imaging, in 66 pediatric patients undergoing computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) enterography. Maximum small bowel diameter was measured in the four abdominal quadrants. Bowel distention was similar between Breeza and barium sulfate suspension (1.63 cm +/- 0.24 vs 1.69 cm +/- 0.25; p=0.44). Breeza is a flavored beverage containing sorbitol, mannitol, and a thickening agent.[1]
  • The American College of Radiology Manual on Contrast Media 2023 discusses other neutral (low attenuation) oral contrast agents that have been used for computer tomographic (CT) enterography. These include water, lactulose solution, polyethylene glycol (PEG) electrolyte solution, Mucofalk, and methylcellulose. Additional information can be found at https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Clinical-Resources/Contrast_Media.pdf

References

• 1. Dillman, JR et al (2018). Comparison of Two Neutral Oral Contrast Agents in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective Randomized Study. Radiology, 288 (1), 245-251.