Skip to main content

Multihance (Intravenous)

Generic name: gadobenategad-oh-BEN-ate-dye-MEG-loo-meen ]
Drug class: Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 20, 2023.

Intravenous route(Solution)

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) increase the risk for NSF among patients with impaired elimination of the drugs. Avoid use of GBCAs in these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrasted MRI or other modalities. NSF may result in fatal or debilitating systemic fibrosis affecting the skin, muscle and internal organs.

The risk for NSF appears highest among patients with chronic, severe kidney disease (GFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) or acute kidney injury.

Screen patients for acute kidney injury and other conditions that may reduce renal function. For patients at risk for chronically reduced renal function (eg, age greater than 60 years, hypertension or diabetes), estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) through laboratory testing.

For patients at highest risk for NSF, do not exceed the recommended gadobenate dimeglumine dose and allow a sufficient period of time for elimination of the drug from the body prior to re-administration

Uses for Multihance

Gadobenate is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent used to help create a clear picture of the body during MRI scans. MRI scans are a special kind of diagnostic procedure. They use magnets and computers to create images or “pictures” of certain areas inside the body. Unlike x-rays, they do not involve ionizing radiation. Gadobenate is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA).

Gadobenate is given by injection before an MRI scan to help find problems in the brain, spine, and other parts of your body.

This medicine is to be used only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using Multihance

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results. For this test, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gadobenate injection in the pediatric population. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in preterm babies.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gadobenate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving gadobenate.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of Multihance

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins just before you have an MRI scan.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Precautions while using Multihance

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child while you are receiving this medicine and during the MRI scan. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have burning or itching of the skin, red or dark patches on the skin, skin swelling, hardening, or tightening, joint stiffness, limited range of motion in the arms and legs, pain that is deep in the hip bone or ribs, or muscle weakness. These may be symptoms of a very serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.

This medicine is a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Gadolinium may be stored in the brain, bone, skin, and other organs of the body in patients with a normal kidney function. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have mild, burning pain, feeling of warmth or coldness, or redness or swelling at the injection site.

This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are receiving gadobenate. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of Multihance

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Incidence not known

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Rare

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Radiological Ionic Contrast Media

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.