FDA warns of potentially fatal condition from MRI drugs

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning Thursday for three substances used in performing MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) that could cause a rare but potentially fatal condition.

The FDA said new warnings for gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) needed to highlight the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) if the drug is given to certain patients with kidney disease.

The labels, said the agency, "will emphasize the need to screen patients to detect these types of kidney dysfunction before administration."

The three intravenous drugs involved in the FDA action are Magnevist, Omniscan, and Optimark, which are used ahead of MRIs to help detect abnormalities of body organs, blood vessels and other tissues.