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Omniscan: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Omniscan - General Information

Omniscan is a gadolinium based contrast agent used in MR imaging procedures to assist in the visualization of blood vessels. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Omniscan. [Wikipedia]

 

Pharmacology of Omniscan

Not Available

 

Omniscan for patients

 

Omniscan Interactions

LABORATORY TEST FINDINGS

Asymptomatic, transitory changes in serum iron have been observed. The clinical significance is unknown.

Omniscan interferes with serum calcium measurements with some colorimetric (complexometric) methods commonly used in hospitals, resulting in serum calcium concentrations lower than the true values. Thus, it is recommended not to use such methods for 12-24 hours after administration of Omniscan. If such measurements are necessary, the use of other methods is recommended. All patients in whom this effect was observed remained asymptomatic.

 

Omniscan Contraindications

None known.

 

Additional information about Omniscan

Omniscan Indication

For intravenous use in MRI to visualize lesions with abnormal vascularity (or those thought to cause abnormalities in the blood-brain barrier) in the brain (intracranial lesions), spine, and associated tissues.

Mechanism Of Action
Based on the behavior of protons when placed in a strong magnetic field, which is interpreted and transformed into images by magnetic resonance (MR) instruments. Paramagnetic agents have unpaired electrons that generate a magnetic field about 700 times larger than the proton's field, thus disturbing the proton's local magnetic field. When the local magnetic field around a proton is disturbed, its relaxation process is altered. MR images are based on proton density and proton relaxation dynamics. MR instruments can record 2 different relaxation processes, the T1 (spin-lattice or longitudinal relaxation time) and the T2 (spin-spin or transverse relaxation time). In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visualization of normal and pathological brain tissue depends in part on variations in the radiofrequency signal intensity that occur with changes in proton density, alteration of the T1, and variation in the T2. When placed in a magnetic field, gadodiamide shortens both the T1 and the T2 relaxation times in tissues where it accumulates. At clinical doses, gadodiamide primarily affects the T1 relaxation time, thus producing an increase in signal intensity. Omniscan does not cross the intact blood-brain barrier; therefore, it does not accumulate in normal brain tissue or in central nervous system (CNS) lesions that have not caused an abnormal blood-brain barrier (e.g., cysts, mature post-operative scars). Abnormal vascularity or disruption of the blood-brain barrier allows accumulation of gadodiamide in lesions such as neoplasms, abscesses, and subacute infarcts.
Generic Name
Gadodiamide
Synonyms
Gadodiamide hydrate
Drug Category
Contrast Media
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Gadodiamide
Omniscan;
Biotransformation
There is no detectable biotransformation or decomposition of gadodiamide.
Half Life
Two-compartment model with mean distribution and elimination half-lives (reported as mean ± SD) of 3.7 ± 2.7 minutes and 77.8 ± 16 minutes, respectively.
Dosage Forms of Omniscan
Solution Intravenous
Chemical IUPAC Name
2-[bis[2-[(2-methylamino-2-oxoethyl)-(2-oxido-2-oxoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetate; gadolinium(+3) cation; hydrate
Chemical Formula
C16H28GdN5O9
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals