INDICATIONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Gadavist® (gadobutrol) injection is a gadolinium-based contrast agent indicated for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
- To detect and visualize areas with disrupted blood brain barrier (BBB) and/or abnormal vascularity of the central nervous system in adult and pediatric patients (including term neonates)
- To assess the presence and extent of malignant breast disease
Gadavist® is indicated for use in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA):
- To evaluate known or suspected supra-aortic or renal artery disease in adult and pediatric patients (including term neonates)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS (NSF)
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) increase the risk for NSF among patients with impaired elimination of the drugs. Avoid use of GBCAs in these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrasted MRI or other modalities. NSF may result in fatal or debilitating fibrosis affecting the skin, muscle and internal organs.
- The risk of NSF appears highest among patients with:
- - Chronic, severe kidney disease (GFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2), or
- - Acute kidney injury
- Screen patients for acute kidney injury and other conditions
that may reduce renal function. For patients at risk for chronically
reduced renal function (for example, age >60 years, hypertension or
diabetes), estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) through
laboratory testing.
- For patients at highest risk for NSF, do not exceed the
recommended GADAVIST dose and allow a sufficient period of time for
elimination of the drug from the body prior to any re-administration.
Contraindication and Important Information about Hypersensitivity Reactions: Gadavist® is contraindicated in patients with history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to Gadavist®. Anaphylactic and other hypersensitivity reactions with cardiovascular, respiratory, or cutaneous manifestations, ranging from mild to severe, including death, have uncommonly occurred following Gadavist® administration. Before Gadavist® administration, assess all patients for any history of a reaction to contrast media, bronchial asthma and/or allergic disorders. These patients may have an increased risk for a hypersensitivity reaction to Gadavist®.
Gadolinium Retention: Gadolinium is retained for months or years in several organs. The highest concentrations (nanomoles per gram of tissue) have been identified in the bone, followed by other organs (for example, brain, skin, kidney, liver, and spleen). The duration of retention also varies by tissue and is longest in bone. Linear GBCAs cause more retention than macrocyclic GBCAs. At equivalent doses, gadolinium retention varies among the linear agents. Retention is lowest and similar among the macrocyclic GBCAs.
Consequences of gadolinium retention in the brain have not been established. Pathologic and clinical consequences of GBCA administration and retention in skin and other organs have been established in patients with impaired renal function. There are rare reports of pathologic skin changes in patients with normal renal function. Adverse events involving multiple organ systems have been reported in patients with normal renal function without an established causal link to gadolinium retention.
While clinical consequences of gadolinium retention have not been established in patients with normal renal function, certain patients might be at higher risk. These include patients requiring multiple lifetime doses, pregnant and pediatric patients, and patients with inflammatory conditions. Consider the retention characteristics of the agent when choosing a GBCA for these patients. Minimize repetitive GBCA imaging studies particularly closely spaced studies, when possible.
Acute Kidney Injury: In patients with chronic renal impairment, acute kidney injury sometimes requiring dialysis has been observed with the use of some GBCAs. Do not exceed the recommended dose; the risk of acute kidney injury may increase with higher than recommended doses.
Extravasation and Injection Site Reactions: Ensure catheter and venous patency before the injection of Gadavist®. Extravasation into tissues during Gadavist® administration may result in moderate irritation.
Overestimation of Extent of Malignant Disease in MRI of the Breast: Gadavist® MRI of the breast overestimated the histologically confirmed extent of malignancy in the diseased breast in up to 50% of the patients.
Low Sensitivity for Significant Arterial Stenosis: The performance of Gadavist® MRA for detecting arterial segments with significant stenosis (>50% renal, >70% supra-aortic) has not been shown to exceed 55%. Therefore, a negative MRA study alone should not be used to rule out significant stenosis.
Adverse Reactions: The most frequent (≥0.5%) adverse reactions associated with Gadavist® in clinical studies were headache (1.5%), nausea (1.1%) and dizziness (0.5%).
Please see Full Prescribing Information (vials and syringes).
Please see Full Prescribing Information (Pharmacy Bulk Package).
Please see Medication Guide.
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