Preclinical testing of iopromide. 1st communication: pharmacological evaluation.

Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the non-ionic monomeric X-ray contrast agent iopromide (Ultravist, CAS 73334-07-3) were evaluated in preclinical studies. The scope of investigations included in vitro tests such as the determination of protein binding, the inhibition of complement, lysozyme, urokinase, platelet aggregation, the release of histamine, the influence on thromboplastin time. In vivo studies included bleeding time in rat, neural tolerance after intracisternal injection or administration into the carotid artery. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in rats and dogs. Iopromide could be shown to be well tolerated in all the tests and species. Its pharmacokinetics was in agreement with the characteristics of an extracellular contrast agent with rapid renal elimination.