Gadoteridol

Pronunciation: Not available.

Generic name: gadoteridol
Brand names: ProHance
Drug class: Gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA)
Form: Solution for intravenous injection/infusion
Route: Intravenous injection
Legal status: Prescription-only diagnostic medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · Canada

What gadoteridol is and how it works

Gadoteridol is a gadolinium-based contrast agent used intravenously for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize lesions with disrupted blood-brain barrier or abnormal vascularity in the central nervous system (brain and spine) and head and neck tissues. (1)

It is administered by healthcare professionals as part of an MRI scan. It is not self-administered. Indications include adults and pediatric patients including neonates.

Mechanism of action: how gadoteridol works

Gadoteridol is a gadolinium-based contrast agent. The detailed mechanism of action was not established in the source reviewed for this page and is not stated here. (1)

What gadoteridol is used for

Magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system and head/neck

Used to enhance visualization of lesions with disrupted blood-brain barrier or abnormal vascularity in the brain, spine, and head/neck tissues in adults and pediatric patients including neonates. (1)

Before taking gadoteridol

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not receive gadoteridol if you have had a known allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to ProHance or any of its ingredients. (all products) (1)
Avoid gadoteridol in patients with chronic severe kidney disease (GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m²) or acute kidney injury unless the diagnostic information is essential and unavailable with non-contrast MRI. (all indications) (1)

Tell your clinician about

History of kidney disease or impaired renal function.
Any previous allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to contrast agents.
Pregnancy or plans for pregnancy; use only if imaging is essential and cannot be delayed.
Breastfeeding status; minimal excretion into breast milk, but benefits should be weighed.
Any other medical conditions or medications.

(1)

How to take gadoteridol

Gadoteridol is injected intravenously by a healthcare professional as part of an MRI procedure.
The standard dose is 0.1 mmol/kg body weight administered as a rapid intravenous infusion or bolus.
In adults with normal renal function, a supplementary dose of 0.2 mmol/kg may be given up to 30 minutes after the initial dose if imaging is inadequate.
Administration is performed in a healthcare setting with appropriate monitoring and emergency equipment available.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician.

Missed dose

Not applicable; gadoteridol is administered by healthcare professionals in a scheduled MRI setting.

Overdose

This medicine is dosed and given by trained healthcare personnel; it is not self-administered. Specific overdose-management procedures were not established in the source reviewed for this page; unresolved.

Side effects

Adverse reactions are generally mild and transient. Serious hypersensitivity reactions can occur.

Nausea

What to notice: Feeling of sickness or stomach discomfort.

What to do: Report to the healthcare provider if persistent or severe. (1)

Dysgeusia (taste distortion)

What to notice: Unusual or unpleasant taste sensation.

What to do: Inform the healthcare provider if bothersome. (1)

Headache

What to notice: Mild to moderate head pain.

What to do: Report if severe or persistent. (1)

Dizziness

What to notice: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady.

What to do: Report if it affects balance or persists. (1)

Urticaria (hives)

What to notice: Raised, itchy welts on the skin.

What to do: Report immediately; may indicate allergic reaction. (1)

Allergic reaction signs

What to notice: Rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, or any severe symptoms.

What to do: Seek immediate medical attention; anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. (1)

Serious warnings

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) — serious

Symptoms: Tightening and swelling of the skin, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and potential internal organ damage in patients with kidney disease.

Action: Healthcare providers should screen renal function before administration. Avoid use in high-risk patients unless essential. Patients with renal impairment should be monitored for NSF signs. (1)

Hypersensitivity reactions — emergency

Symptoms: May range from mild (rash, itching) to severe anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, throat swelling, shock.

Action: Patients must be monitored closely during and after the injection. Emergency resuscitation equipment must be available. Patients should report any symptoms immediately. (1)

Gadolinium retention —

Symptoms: Gadolinium is retained in the brain, bone, and other organs for months or years after administration.

Action: The clinical consequences of this retention in patients with normal renal function are described as unknown in the source reviewed. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Drug interactions	No drug-drug interaction studies were found in the reviewed prescribing information.	Inform the healthcare provider of all medications you are taking. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pediatric patients

Gadoteridol is indicated for use in pediatric patients including neonates for CNS and head/neck MRI. Dosing is the same as adults by body weight (0.1 mmol/kg). (1)

Pregnancy

Use only if imaging is essential and cannot be delayed. Animal data showed doubled post-implantation loss in rats at high doses. No adequate human data. (1)

Breastfeeding

Minimal gadoteridol excretion into breast milk (<0.01% by 24 hours). The benefit of breastfeeding should be weighed against the maternal clinical need for the scan. (1)

Renal impairment

Increased risk of NSF in patients with impaired renal elimination, particularly chronic severe kidney disease or acute kidney injury. Avoid use unless essential and non-contrast MRI is insufficient. (1)

Hepatic impairment

No specific guidance for hepatic impairment was found in the reviewed source. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Assess renal function (e.g., eGFR) to screen for risk of NSF.
Screen for history of allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to contrast agents.
Confirm pregnancy status if applicable.

During treatment

Monitor for signs of hypersensitivity during and after the injection.
Have emergency resuscitation equipment and trained personnel immediately available.
Observe for signs of NSF in patients with renal impairment, though onset may be delayed.

(1)

Storage

This medicine is administered by trained healthcare personnel; patients do not self-store it. Specific facility storage/handling instructions were not established in the source reviewed for this page; unresolved.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local prescribing information and institutional protocols.

US (FDA label)

Indication: MRI of CNS and head/neck

Dose summary: Standard dose: 0.1 mmol/kg IV as a rapid bolus or infusion. For adults with normal renal function, a supplementary dose of 0.2 mmol/kg may be given up to 30 minutes later if needed.

Renal context: No specific dose adjustment for renal impairment, but use is cautioned due to NSF risk. Avoid unless essential in severe impairment. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No specific hepatic impairment guidance available in the source reviewed.

Overdose note

Specific overdose-management procedures were not established in the source reviewed for this page; unresolved. (1)

Frequently asked questions

What is gadoteridol used for?

It is a contrast agent injected during MRI scans to help visualize lesions in the brain, spine, and head/neck areas. (1)

Can gadoteridol cause NSF?

Yes. There is a risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, especially in patients with severe kidney disease or acute kidney injury. Screening kidney function before the scan helps identify those at risk. (1)

Will the gadolinium stay in my body?

Yes. Gadolinium is retained for months or years in the brain, bone, and other organs after administration of any gadolinium-based contrast agent. The clinical consequences of this in patients with normal renal function are described as unknown in the source reviewed. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of gadoteridol?