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Used:
Barium sulfate comes as a powder to be mixed with water, a
suspension (liquid), a paste, and a tablet. The powder and water
mixture and the suspension may be taken by mouth or may be given
as an enema (liquid that is instilled into the rectum), and the
paste and tablet are taken by mouth. Barium sulfate is usually
taken one or more times before an x-ray examination or CT scan.
If you are using a barium sulfate enema, the enema will be
administered by medical staff at the testing center. If you are
taking barium sulfate by mouth, you may be given the medication
after you arrive at the testing center or you may be given the
medication to take at home at specific times the night before
and/or the day of your test. If you are taking barium sulfate at
home, take it exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it
or take it more often or at different times than directed.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication
evenly. If you are given a powder to mix with water and take at
home, be sure that you are also given directions for mixing and
that you understand these directions. Ask your doctor or the staff
at the testing center if you have any questions about mixing your
medication.
You will be given specific directions to follow before and after
your test. You may be told to drink only clear liquids after a
certain time the day before your test, not to eat or drink after a
specific time, and/or to use laxatives or enemas before your test.
You may also be told to use laxatives to clear the barium sulfate
from your body after your test. Be sure that you understand these
directions and follow them carefully. Ask your doctor or the staff
at the testing center if you are not given directions or if you
have any questions about the directions you are given.
Other uses :
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor
or pharmacist for more information
Precautions :
Before taking or using barium sulfate,
* tell your doctor and the staff at the testing center if you are
allergic to barium sulfate, other radiopaque contrast media,
simethicone (Gas-X, Phazyme, others), any other medications, any
foods, latex, or any of the ingredients in the type of barium
sulfate that you will be taking or using. Ask the staff at the
testing center for a list of the ingredients.
* tell your doctor and the staff at the testing center what
prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or
plan to take. Your doctor will tell you whether you should take
your medications on the day of your test and whether you should
wait a certain amount of time between taking your regular
medications and taking barium sulfate.
* tell your doctor if you have recently had a rectal biopsy
(removal of a small amount of tissue from the rectum for
laboratory examination) and if you have any blockage, sores, or
holes in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine; or swelling or
cancer of the rectum; Also tell your doctor if your infant or
young child has any condition that affects his or her esophagus,
stomach, or intestine, or has had surgery involving the
intestines.Your doctor may tell you or your child not to take
barium sulfate.
* tell your doctor if you have recently had any type of surgery
especially surgery involving the colon (large intestine) or rectum
if you have had a colostomy (surgery to create an opening for
waste to leave the body through the abdomen), intracranial
hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high pressure in the skull that
may cause headaches, vision loss, and other symptoms), or if you
have ever aspirated food (inhaled food into the lungs). Also tell
your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had
allergies and if you have or have ever had asthma; hay fever
(allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air); hives;
eczema (red, itchy skin rash caused by allergy or sensitivity to
substances in the environment); constipation; cystic fibrosis
(inherited condition in which the body produces thick, sticky
mucus that can interfere with breathing and digestion);
Hirschsprung's disease (inherited condition in which the
intestines do not work normally); high blood pressure; or heart
disease.
* tell your doctor if you there is any chance that you are
pregnant, if you plan to become pregnant, or if you are
breast-feeding. The radiation used in x-rays and CT scans may harm
the fetus.
Side Effects :
Barium sulfate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of
these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* stomach cramps
* diarrhea
* nausea
* vomiting
* constipation
* weakness
* pale skin
* sweating
* ringing in the ears
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these
symptoms tell the staff at the testing center or call your doctor
immediately:
* hives
* itching
* red skin
* swelling or tightening of the throat
* difficulty breathing or swallowing
* hoarseness
* agitation
* confusion
* fast heartbeat
* bluish skin color
Barium sulfate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if
you have any unusual problems while taking or after receiving this
medication.
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