TAGITOL V

Hypersensitivity reactions: Emergency equipment and trained personnel should be immediately available ( 5.1 ) Intra-abdominal barium leakage: May occur in conditions which increase the risk of perforation such as - carcinoma, GI fistula, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, appendicitis, diverticulitis, or 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 by baroliths ( 5.3 ) Aspiration pneumonitis: Caution is recommended in patients with a history of food aspiration and in patients with known swallowing disorders ( 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 TAGITOL V is contraindicated in patients at high risk of perforation of the GI tract [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Administration of TAGITOL V may result in leakage of barium from the GI tract in the presence of conditions that increase the risk of perforation such as carcinomas, GI fistula, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, appendicitis, or diverticulitis, and in patients with a severe stenosis at any level of the gastrointestinal tract, especially if it is distal to the stomach. The 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 lead to 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 gastrointestinal motility, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, on a low residue diet, on medications that delay GI motility, constipation, cystic fibrosis, Hirschsprung disease, and the elderly. 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 TAGITOL V 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. 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 products, monitor patients for potential intravasation when administering barium sulfate.