Guidance on gadolinium-based contrast agent administration to adult patients

This guidance looks in depth at important issues around the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents to adult patients, addressing concerns around the potential for long-term gadolinium retention in the brain and the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. It includes eight key recommendations to support practitioners using gadolinium-based contrast agents in the treatment of their patients and covers safety, prescribing, consent, identification of patients at increased risk from contrast administration, and pregnancy and lactation. There is also guidance on the management and treatment of acute reactions. 

This guidance replaces the previous guidance on Gadolinium-based contrast media and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and Standards for intravascular contrast administration in adult patients, third edition, which have now been archived. The RCR endorses The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists’ 2016 Iodinated Contrast Guidelines, which can be viewed online and should be used alongside this document.