Uricosuric Effect of Radiocontrast Agents

Abstract

The administration of standard doses of four commonly used radiocontrast agents, iopanoic acid (Telepaque®), calcium ipodate (Oragrafin®), meglumine iodipamide (Cholografin®), and sodium diatrizoate (Hypaque®) to 2 to 12 patients is followed by a decrease in the serum urate concentration, an increase in the urinary excretion of uric acid, and an increase in the renal clearance of uric acid. This uricosuric effect of these agents appears to be caused by enhanced renal tubular secretion of uric acid. Telepaque and Oragrafin were found to have a more potent effect than Cholografin and Hypaque. In addition, the duration of the uricosuric effect of these agents, which is 5 and 6 days for Telepaque and Oragrafin, respectively, and 1 day for Cholografin and Hypaque, correlates with the duration of their reported renal excretion. The possibility that acute renal failure occasionally precipitated by these agents may be related to their uricosuric effect is discussed.