What you should know about Gadolinium:
Gadolinium is a paramagnetic metal ion which moves differently within a magnetic field. This trait makes gadolinium a useful contrast agent during an MRI. Gadolinium is used during an MRI because it allows the physician to see the exact size and location of the area that needs to be treated. After the Gadolinium is injected into the bloodstream, it is exposed to the MRI and becomes very bright, highlighting any deposits of the fluid which indicates abnormal tissue growth. Contrast agents that use Gadolinium provide the physician with greater clarity and makes the smaller tumors very bright and easy to see.

Once administered, the solution is rapidly removed from the body by the kidneys. The most common side effects associated with the use of Gadolinium based contrast agents are headache, nausea, and a localized burning sensation. Some individuals have been found to be allergic to Gadolinium, experiencing hives, eye irritation, and shortness of breath.

There are currently five FDA-approved gadolinium-based contrast agents, Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and ProHance. These agents are approved for use during an MRI scan, but not for MRA. The FDA is asking health care professionals and patients to report possible cases of NSF/NFD through FDA’s MedWatch program.

Gadolinium side effects:
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) symptoms initially affect the skin. Most NSF/NFD patients describe a swelling and tightening of the skin. These effects are typically limited to the extremities but can sometimes involving the trunk.

Symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy can appear anywhere from one day to 2 years after a patient has been exposed to a Gadolinium. Most patients eventually may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their arms, hands, legs, and feet. Most people diagnosed with NSF/NSD are first found to have high blood pressure.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death. The progression of the disease can be slow, and it can take several years for all of the symptoms associated with NSF/NSD to appear. However, some patients have a form of NSF/NSD that progresses so quickly that they often die of complications brought on by the disease.

Signs/Symptoms

• Yellow spots on the whites of the eyes
• Stiffness in joints and trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Tightening and swelling of the skin
• Hardening and thickening of the skin around the joints, restricting movement
• Extremely hard or rough skin has the texture of an orange peel
• Red or dark patches on the skin
• Burning, itching, and/or sharp pains in affected areas
• Symmetrical skin lesions
• Muscle weakness and hardening of soft tissues
• Deep bone pain in the hips and ribs
• Calcification of soft tissues

Gadolinium in the news

• 4/3/2009 Study Suggests “Potent” Link Between NSF, Gadolinium Contrast Dyes
• 3/25/2009 Gadolinium Contrast Dye Lawsuit Trials Will Start in January

Other drug manufacturer cases

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Avandia

Bertram Law Firm