Ipodate sodium is an iodine

Iodine

Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is pronounced , , or . The name is from the , meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor....

-containing radiopaque contrast media used for X-ray

X-ray

X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...

s. The drug is given orally and the resulting contrast allows for easy resolution of the bile duct and gall bladder. The drug goes by the trade name Oragrafin or Gastrografin.

Other uses

Although not FDA approved, ipodate sodium has been used to treat Graves' disease

Graves' disease

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease where the thyroid is overactive, producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones...

 and thyroid storm

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the term for overactive tissue within the thyroid gland causing an overproduction of thyroid hormones . Hyperthyroidism is thus a cause of thyrotoxicosis, the clinical condition of increased thyroid hormones in the blood. Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are not synonymous...

, an extreme form of hyperthyroidism.

Graves' disease

Long-term treatment of Graves' disease with ipodate sodium (500 mg, daily) given by mouth reduced levels of T3

Triiodothyronine

Triiodothyronine, C15H12I3NO4, also known as T3, is a thyroid hormone. It affects almost every physiological process in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate....

 and T4

Thyroxine

Thyroxine, or 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine , a form of thyroid hormones, is the major hormone secreted by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland.-Synthesis and regulation:...

 in the patients. This was done with minimal side effects, indicating possible clinical usefulness. Iodine uptake was also noted to return to normal within seven days, indicating control with ipodate with rapid follow up treatment with ¹³¹I is feasible.

Thyroid Storm

In emergency situations, ipodate can be administered for thyroid storm

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the term for overactive tissue within the thyroid gland causing an overproduction of thyroid hormones . Hyperthyroidism is thus a cause of thyrotoxicosis, the clinical condition of increased thyroid hormones in the blood. Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are not synonymous...

. As the ipodate is metabolized, it releases iodine into circulation, helping bring the T3

Triiodothyronine

Triiodothyronine, C15H12I3NO4, also known as T3, is a thyroid hormone. It affects almost every physiological process in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate....

 and T4

Thyroxine

Thyroxine, or 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine , a form of thyroid hormones, is the major hormone secreted by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland.-Synthesis and regulation:...

 levels back down. Ipodate also inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3 (which is more potent). It is not considered a first-line approach, as potassium iodide

Potassium iodide

Potassium iodide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KI. This white salt is the most commercially significant iodide compound, with approximately 37,000 tons produced in 1985. It is less hygroscopic than sodium iodide, making it easier to work with...

 and beta blocker

Beta blocker

Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists or beta antagonists, are a class of drugs used for various indications. They are particularly for the management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction ,...

s have less potential for side-effects. Ipodate sodium lacks FDA approval for this use.