Indications and usage▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is indicated for use in single contrast radiographic examinations of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel to visualize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in adult and pediatric patients. Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is a radiographic contrast agent indicated for use in single contrast radiographic examinations of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel to visualize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in adult and pediatric patients ( 1 )
Dosage and administration▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adults: Recommended oral dose is 150 mL to 750 mL (87g to 435g of barium sulfate, respectively) ( 2.1 ) Pediatric patients: adjust dose based on relative GI volume ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The optimal oral dose of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE will vary depending on the size and anatomy of the patient and the procedure being performed. The recommended oral dose of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE: Adults: 150 to 750 mL (87 g to 435 g of barium sulfate, respectively). Volumes closer to 150 mL are recommended for examination of the esophagus and stomach and volumes up to 750 mL are recommended for examination of the small bowel Pediatric Patients: Adjust dose based on GI volume For examinations of the upper GI tract, administer a volume sufficient to fully distend the esophagus or stomach. For small bowel examinations: Age birth to less than 2 years: 30 mL to 75 mL Age 2 years to less than 17 years: 75 mL to 480 mL 2.2 Administration Instructions For oral use only Shake bottle vigorously for 30 seconds prior to oral administration to fully suspend product Administer undiluted Ensure patients have nothing by mouth for the following time period prior to the examination: Neonates and Infants < 3 months 2 hours Infants 3-12 months 3 hours > 12 months of age 4 hours Discard any unused suspension Encourage patients to maintain hydration following the barium sulfate procedure
Contraindications▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions: known or suspected perforation of the GI tract known obstruction of the GI tract high risk of GI perforation such as those with a recent GI perforation, acute GI hemorrhage or ischemia, toxic megacolon, severe ileus, post GI surgery or biopsy, acute GI injury or burn, or recent radiotherapy to the pelvis high risk of aspiration such as those with prior aspiration, tracheo-esophageal fistula, or obtundation known severe hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE Known or suspected perforation of the GI tract ( 4 ) Known obstruction of the GI tract ( 4 ) Conditions associated with high risk of GI perforation or aspiration ( 4 ) Known severe hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity reactions: Emergency equipment and trained personnel should be immediately available ( 5.1 ) Intra-abdominal barium leakage: May occur in conditions such as GI fistula, ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis or diverticulitis, severe stenosis or obstructing lesions of the GI tract ( 5.2 ) Delayed GI transit and obstruction: Patients should maintain adequate hydration in days following a barium sulfate procedure to avoid obstruction or impaction ( 5.3 ) Aspiration pneumonitis: Patients with history of food aspiration or with swallowing disorders are at increased risk ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Barium sulfate preparations contain a number of excipients, including natural and artificial flavors and may induce serious hypersensitivity reactions. The manifestations include hypotension, bronchospasm and other respiratory impairments, dermal reactions including rashes, urticaria and itching. A history of bronchial asthma, atopy or a previous reaction to a contrast agent may increase the risk for hypersensitivity reactions. Emergency equipment and trained personnel should be immediately available for treatment of a hypersensitivity reaction. 5.2 Intra-abdominal Barium Leakage The use of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is contraindicated in patients at high risk of perforation of the GI tract [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Administration of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE may result in leakage of barium from the GI tract in the presence of conditions such as carcinomas, GI fistula, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and in patients with a severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, especially distal to the stomach. Barium leakage has been associated with peritonitis and granuloma formation. 5.3 Delayed Gastrointestinal Transit and Obstruction Orally administered barium sulfate may accumulate proximal to a constricting lesion of the colon, causing obstruction or impaction with development of baroliths (inspissated barium associated with feces) and may cause abdominal pain, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, or rarely perforation. Patients with the following conditions are at higher risk for developing obstruction or baroliths: severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, impaired GI motility, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, on a low residue diet, on medications that delay GI motility, constipation, cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease, and the elderly [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 , 8.5 )] . To reduce the risk of delayed GI transit and obstruction, patients should maintain adequate hydration following a barium sulfate procedure. 5.4 Aspiration Pneumonitis The use of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is contraindicated in patients at high risk of aspiration [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Oral administration of barium is associated with aspiration pneumonitis, especially in patients with a history of food aspiration or with compromised swallowing mechanism. Vomiting following oral administration of barium sulfate may lead to aspiration pneumonitis. In patients at risk for aspiration, begin the procedure with a small ingested volume of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE. Discontinue administration of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE immediately if aspiration is suspected. 5.5 Systemic Embolization Barium sulfate products may occasionally intravasate into the venous drainage of the large bowel and enter the circulation as a "barium embolus" leading to potentially fatal complications which include systemic and pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septicemia and prolonged severe hypotension. Although this complication is exceedingly uncommon after oral administration of barium sulfate suspension, monitor patients for potential intravasation when administering barium sulfate. 5.6 Risk with Hereditary Fructose Intolerance Liquid E-Z-PAQUE contains sorbitol which may cause severe symptoms if ingested by patients with hereditary fructose intolerance. Severe symptoms may include the following: vomiting, hypoglycemia, jaundice, hemorrhage, hepatomegaly, hyperuricemia, and kidney failure. Before administration of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE assess patients for a history of hereditary fructose intolerance and avoid use in these patients.
Adverse reactions▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions have been identified from spontaneous reporting or clinical studies of barium sulfate administered orally. Because the reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping Serious adverse reactions and fatalities include aspiration pneumonitis, barium sulfate impaction, intestinal perforation with consequent peritonitis and granuloma formation, vasovagal and syncopal episodes Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bracco Diagnostics Inc at 1-800-257-5181 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
Use in pregnancy▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is not absorbed systemically following oral administration, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is not absorbed systemically by the mother following oral administration, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the infant to Liquid E-Z-PAQUE [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) . 8.4 Pediatric Use The efficacy of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE in pediatric patients from birth to less than 17 years of age is based on successful opacification of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel during single contrast radiographic procedures [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . Safety and dosing recommendations in pediatric patients are based on clinical experience [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . Liquid E-Z-PAQUE is contraindicated in pediatric patients with tracheo-esophageal fistula. [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Pediatric patients with a history of asthma or food allergies may be at increased risk for development of hypersensitivity reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Monitor pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease for bowel obstruction after use [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Liquid E-Z-PAQUE do not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.