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

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