Answer to Question #12077 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"
Category: Medical and Dental Patient Issues — Diagnostic X Ray and CT
The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:
Q
I recently had an abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast and a barium swallow. The report for the CT scan shows that Omnipaque 240 and 350 were used and barium was used for the barium swallow. I am wondering whether these are radioactive drugs and if they themselves add to the radiation received from the actual procedure.
A
The drugs are contrast agents, used to produce better images. They are not radioactive and do not contribute any radiation dose.
Kent Lambert, CHP, FHPS
Answer posted on 7 September 2017. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.