Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Name

  1. Magnevist



Gadopentetate is given by injection before MRI to help diagnose problems in the brain, spine, head, neck, and other parts of your body.


This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Solution

Before Using





Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gadopentetate in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.


No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of gadopentetate in geriatric patients.


Information about this gadopentetate-intravenous-route
Pregnancy Category Explanation



Drug Interactions


Other Interactions


Other Medical Problems


  • Asthma or allergies, history of or
  • Patients who have had prior reactions to contrast media—Use with caution. May increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
  • Diabetes or
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Use with caution. May increase your likelihood of having reduced kidney function.
  • Kidney disease, mild or moderate—Use with caution. May increase the likelihood of serious side effects.
  • Kidney problems, severe (acute or long-term)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

Proper Use




The risk of having a very serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is increased in patients with severe kidney disease. Even if you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may decide that it is still important to use this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have burning or itching of the skin, red or dark patches on the skin, swelling, hardening, or tightening of the skin, joint stiffness, limited range of motion in the arms and legs, pain that is deep in the hip bone or ribs, or muscle weakness. These may be symptoms of NSF.


Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have mild, burning pain, feeling of warmth or coldness, peeling of the skin, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Make sure your doctor knows that you or your child have used this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests (e.g., serum iron, bilirubin, or transaminase levels).

Side Effects




  1. Arm, back, or jaw pain
  2. bluish color
  3. blurred vision
  5. changes in skin color
  6. chest pain or discomfort
  7. chest tightness or heaviness
  8. chills
  9. confusion
  10. cough
  11. difficult or labored breathing
  12. difficulty with swallowing
  13. dizziness
  15. fainting
  16. fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  17. fever
  18. headache
  19. headache, severe and throbbing
  20. hives
  21. irritation of the throat
  22. itching
  23. loss of bladder control
  24. loss of consciousness
  25. nausea
  26. nervousness
  27. noisy breathing
  28. pain or swelling of the treated skin
  29. paleness of the skin
  30. pounding in the ears
  32. red or irritated eyes
  33. redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of the skin
  34. runny nose
  35. seizures
  36. shortness of breath
  37. skin rash
  38. slow or fast heartbeat
  39. sneezing
  40. sore throat
  41. stuffy nose
  42. sweating
  43. swelling of the foot or leg
  44. swelling or puffiness of the face
  45. tenderness
  46. total body jerking
  47. unusual tiredness or weakness
  48. wheezing

Incidence not known

  1. Agitation
  2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  3. bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
  4. burning or itching of the skin
  5. change in consciousness
  6. coma
  7. coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  8. decreased urine output
  9. depression
  10. diarrhea
  11. difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
  12. difficulty with speaking
  13. frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
  14. hoarseness
  15. hostility
  16. increased sweating
  17. irritability
  18. joint or muscle pain
  19. joint stiffness
  21. lethargy
  22. limited range of motion in the arms and legs
  23. muscle twitching or weakness
  24. no blood pressure or pulse
  25. no breathing
  26. pain that is deep in the hip bone or ribs
  27. pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
  28. rapid weight gain
  29. red or dark patches on the skin
  31. skin swelling, hardening, or tightening
  32. slow or irregular breathing
  34. spots on your skin resembling a blister or pimple
  35. stopping of heart
  36. stupor
  37. swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
  38. tenderness
  39. tightness in the chest
  40. trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  41. troubled breathing
  42. unconsciousness


Less common



  1. Abdominal or stomach discomfort or pain
  2. bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  3. burning, dry, or itching eyes
  4. change in taste
  6. decrease or change in vision
  7. difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  8. discharge or excessive tearing
  9. double vision
  10. dry mouth
  11. ear pain
  12. eye pain
  13. feeling cold or warm
  14. hearing loss
  15. hives or welts
  16. hyperventilation
  17. increased salivation
  18. lack or loss of strength
  19. loss of appetite
  20. nervousness
  21. pain in the tooth
  23. restlessness
  24. seeing double
  25. skin rash
  26. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  27. tearing of the eyes
  28. thirst
  29. trouble sleeping
  30. uncontrolled eye movements
  31. vomiting
  32. weight loss

Incidence not known

  1. Blurred or loss of vision
  2. change in sense of smell
  3. difficulty with moving
  4. disturbed color perception
  5. double vision
  6. halos around lights
  7. muscle pain or stiffness
  8. night blindness
  9. overbright appearance of lights
  10. poor hearing
  11. tunnel vision

