Nephorgenic System Fibrosis

• The most serious side effect of gadolinium is Nephorgenic System Fibrosis (NSF) and is potentially fatal. This condition is progressive and symptoms include hard, tight regions of the skin covering the joints as well as excessive scar tissue. These symptoms diminish the individual's ability to use their joints and may lead to an inability to walk.
  
  

Side Effects

• Gadolinium dye may also cause lesser side effects such as allergic reaction. Symptoms of this type of reaction may present as a rash, hives, itching, burning, sweating and swelling. Other side effects may be irritation of veins and blood clots.
  
  

Preexisting Kidney Conditions

• Most of the side affects associated with gadolinium, including NSF, increase when the patient has a pre-existing kidney condition.
  
  

Contrast Dyes that Contain Gadolinium

• There are five products that contain gadolinium: OptiMARK (gadoversetamide), ProHance (gadoteridol), Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine) and Omniscan (gadodiamide).
  
  

FDA Warning

• In 2007 the FDA requested that the makers of gadolinium contrast dye incorporate a box warning on their product. This is the FDA strongest warning and they also implemented a system where NFS cases can be reported.