Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Anatrast, Baricon, Baro-Cat, Barosperse, CheeTah, CheeTah Butterscotch, CheeTah Chocolaty-Fudge, CheeTah Orange, CheeTah Raspberry, Eneset 2, Entero-H, Entrobar, Esopho-Cat, E-Z AC, E-Z Dose Kit with Polibar Plus, E-Z-Cat, E-Z-HD, E-Z-Paque, Liqui-Coat HD, Liquid Polibar, Medebar Plus, Medebar Super 250, Readi-Cat, Readi-Cat 2, Scan C, Smoothie Readi-Cat 2, Sol-O-Pake, Tonojug, Tonopaque, Varibar Nectar, Varibar Pudding, Varibar Thin, Varibar Thin Honey, Volumen

Generic Name: barium sulfate (oral and rectal) (Pronunciation: BER ee um SUL fate)

• What is barium sulfate (Anatrast, Baricon, Baro-Cat, Barosperse, CheeTah, CheeTah Butterscotch, CheeTah Chocolaty-Fudge, CheeTah Orange, CheeTah Raspberry, Eneset 2, Entero-H, Entrobar, Esopho-Cat, E-Z AC, E-Z Dose Kit with Polibar Plus, E-Z-Cat, E-Z-HD, E-Z-Paque, Liqui-Coat HD, Liquid Polibar, Medebar Plus, Medebar Super 250, Readi-Cat, Readi-Cat 2, Scan C, Smoothie Readi-Cat 2, Sol-O-Pake, Tonojug, Tonopaque, Varibar Nectar, Varibar Pudding, Varibar Thin, Varibar Thin Honey, Volumen)?
• What are the possible side effects of barium sulfate?
• What is the most important information I should know about barium sulfate?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using barium sulfate?
• How should I take barium sulfate?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking barium sulfate?
• What other drugs will affect barium sulfate?
• Where can I get more information?

What is barium sulfate (Anatrast, Baricon, Baro-Cat, Barosperse, CheeTah, CheeTah Butterscotch, CheeTah Chocolaty-Fudge, CheeTah Orange, CheeTah Raspberry, Eneset 2, Entero-H, Entrobar, Esopho-Cat, E-Z AC, E-Z Dose Kit with Polibar Plus, E-Z-Cat, E-Z-HD, E-Z-Paque, Liqui-Coat HD, Liquid Polibar, Medebar Plus, Medebar Super 250, Readi-Cat, Readi-Cat 2, Scan C, Smoothie Readi-Cat 2, Sol-O-Pake, Tonojug, Tonopaque, Varibar Nectar, Varibar Pudding, Varibar Thin, Varibar Thin Honey, Volumen)?

Barium sulfate is in a group of drugs called contrast agents. Barium sulfate works by coating the inside of your esophagus, stomach, or intestines which allows them to be seen more clearly on a CT scan or other radiologic (x-ray) examination.

Barium sulfate is used to help diagnose certain disorders of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Barium sulfate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of barium sulfate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain;
• severe cramping, diarrhea, or constipation;
• sweating;
• ringing in your ears;
• confusion, fast heart rate; or
• pale skin, weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach cramps;
• nausea, vomiting;
• loose stools or mild constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about barium sulfate?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to barium sulfate. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a contrast agent.

Before you use barium sulfate, tell your doctor if you have any allergies, or if you have asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart disease or high blood pressure, rectal cancer, a colostomy, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, or if you have recently had a rectal biopsy or surgery on your esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding before your medical test.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about what to eat or drink within the 24-hour period before your test.

Serious side effects of barium sulfate may include severe stomach pain, sweating, ringing in your ears, pale skin, weakness, or severe cramping, diarrhea, or constipation