Gadolinium MRI Contrast Dye

Gadolinium is the active ingredient in several different brands of contrast dyes used to enhance MRI and MRA images. In April of 2006, reports began to surface that certain patients using gadolinium dyes were developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), previously known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). NSF is a disease which causes a thickening of the skin, connective tissues, muscles and internal organs throughout the body. There is no known treatment for NSF, it becomes worse over time and can lead to death.

• Gadolinium is injected into the bloodstream to enhance MRI and MRA images
• Gadolinium can cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with kidney problems
• NSF is a debilitating, potentially fatal disease for which there is no known cure
• The pharmaceutical companies knew about the life-threatening side effects as early as April 2006
• The FDA ordered a black box warning in May 2007 for the labels of all gadolinium dyes

MRI Contrast Dyes with Gadolinium

According to the FDA, Four of the five approved Gadolinium contrast agents (dyes) have been principally implicated in Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), including Omniscan, Multihance, Magnevist, and OptiMARK.