Iopromide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2024.

Applies to iopromide: injection solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Injection route (solution)

Risk Associated with Intrathecal Use. Intrathecal administration, even if inadvertent, may cause death, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, coma, paralysis, arachnoiditis, acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, seizures, rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, and brain edema.

Iopromide is not approved for intrathecal use.

Serious side effects of iopromide

Along with its needed effects, iopromide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking iopromide:

Less common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• chest pain
• feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
• headache
• sweating

Rare side effects

• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bluish lips or skin
• chest discomfort or tightness
• cough
• decreased frequency or amount of urination
• difficult or painful urination
• excessive thirst
• fever or chills
• irregular heartbeat
• nausea or vomiting
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale skin at injection site
• seizures
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss

Incidence not known

• black, tarry stools
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloody urine
• blue lips and fingernails
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing or sore throat
• dilated neck veins
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sensitivity to heat
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swollen glands
• trouble sleeping
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects of iopromide

Some side effects of iopromide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• change in taste
• changes in vision
• loss of taste

Rare side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• agitation
• belching or passing of gas
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• difficulty with moving
• dry mouth
• excessive muscle tone
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• lack of coordination
• loss of strength or energy
• muscle tension or tightness
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach discomfort or pain
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• voice changes

Incidence not known

• bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• discharge, excessive tearing
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• headache, severe and throbbing
• hearing loss
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• sensation of spinning

For healthcare professionals

Applies to iopromide: injectable solution.

General adverse events

The most important adverse events were anaphylactoid shock, contrast induced acute kidney injury, coma, cerebral infarction stroke, brain edema, convulsion, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, bradycardia, cyanosis, hypotension, shock, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, respiratory insufficiency, and aspiration.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vasodilatation
• Frequency not reported: Atrioventricular block (complete), bradycardia, ventricular extrasystole, coronary artery thrombosis, flushing, hypertension, hypotension, peripheral vascular disorder, vascular anomaly, myocardial ischemia, cardiac failure, cyanosis, shock
• Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, palpitations, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, vasospasm^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Hyperhidrosis, face edema, erythema, pruritus, rash urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, mild (e.g. rash, erythema, pruritus, urticaria, skin discoloration) to severe (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) skin reactions, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Postmarketing reports: Hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxic crisis, hypothyroidism^[Ref]

There are uncommon reports of hypothyroidism or transient thyroid suppression after iodinated contrast agents in patients of all ages, including infants. Some patients were treated for hypothyroidism.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal pain, salivation increased, stomach discomfort, rectal tenesmus
• Postmarketing reports: Dysphagia, swelling of salivary glands, mucous membrane disorder/mucosal swelling (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary urgency
• Frequency not reported: Dysuria, blood urea increased, urinary retention
• Postmarketing reports: Hematuria^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactoid reactions (including fatal cases), anaphylactoid shock, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site and infusion site reactions (hemorrhage, hematoma, pain, edema, erythema, rash)
• Frequency not reported: Extravasation
• Postmarketing reports: Compartment syndrome in case of extravasation, fixed eruptions (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Excessive thirst, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, blood urea increased
• Postmarketing reports: Diabetes insipidus (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
• Frequency not reported: Chills, arthralgia, musculoskeletal pain, myasthenia, neck pain, pain in extremity
• Postmarketing reports: Joint disorder/effusion (pediatric patients), muscle cramps (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dysgeusia
• Frequency not reported: Convulsion, dizziness, hypertonia, hypesthesia, incoordination, neuropathy, somnolence, speech disorder, tremor, paresthesia, syncope, cerebral infarction stroke, brain edema
• Postmarketing reports: Vertigo, tinnitus, cerebral ischemia/infarction, paralysis, paresis, aphasia, coma, unconsciousness, amnesia, hypotonia, aggravation of myasthenia gravis symptoms, migraine (pediatric patients), brain edema (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision
• Frequency not reported: Visual field defect
• Postmarketing reports: Mydriasis, lacrimation disorder, transient cortical blindness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Agitation, confusion, anxiety^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal pain, contrast-induced acute kidney injury
• Postmarketing reports: Renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma, apnea, cough increased, dyspnea, hypoxia, pharyngeal edema, pharyngitis, pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory disorder, sore throat, respiratory insufficiency, aspiration
• Postmarketing reports: Laryngeal edema, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, epistaxis (pediatric patients), hypoxia (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Hemoglobin increased, white blood cell count increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Postmarketing reports: Conjunctivitis (pediatric patients)^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, pain
• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, chest discomfort, feeling hot, malaise, edema peripheral, pyrexia^[Ref]

Further information

Iopromide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer