A gadolinium contrast agent is a type of dye, commonly used to help during an MRI scan to enhance the imaging and diagnose a variety of conditions. Contrast agents are generally expected to leave the body shortly after use, but a growing number of lawsuits allege that this is not the case of gadolinium—that this dye can, in fact, stay in the body for months or even years after use.

If you believe gadolinium is still in your system long after use and has caused a reaction you weren’t warned about, you may be able to file a gadolinium toxicity lawsuit.

Patients have alleged a number of side effects, including gadolinium toxicity, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and gadolinium deposition disease (GDD). Lawsuits claim that the manufacturers of gadolinium were aware of the drugs’ dangers, yet failed to give adequate warning about these risks.

Basics of Gadolinium Contrast Dye

During an MRI, many patients are given a gadolinium contrast agent or dye to help enhance the imaging provided by the MRI scan. This dye can help to diagnose cancer, infections, and other serious conditions. However, a growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations that they have suffered from serious or even permanent side effects caused by the gadolinium dye remaining in their bodies and even their brain for months or years after use.

The FDA Warned of Gadolinium Retention

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned in December 2017 that gadolinium could be retained in the body, including the brain and other vital organs. Not much is yet known about gadolinium retention, and the drugs’ manufacturers have been asked by the FDA to conduct further studies into potential long-term complications.

While the drug safety communication notes that the FDA believes that the benefits of gadolinium contrast dye continue to outweigh the risks, the agency has also required an updated patient medication guide to provide more information about the dye and its risks.

The FDA has noted that the condition nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) associated with the use of gadolinium contrast dye in patients with pre-existing kidney failure. NSF is a serious disease that can affect the skin as well as internal organs. Unfortunately, there is no cure for NSF, and patients are left with these symptoms for life.

Some patients believe that gadolinium deposition disease is another risk of gadolinium retention. Symptoms of GDD cited in lawsuits include persistent headaches, weight loss, kidney impairment, brain fog, bone and joint pain, and body aches, among others.

In 2018, the FDA approved updated prescription information to include warnings about gadolinium retention.

Filing a Gadolinium Toxicity Lawsuit

According to some patients, manufacturers of gadolinium contrast dye have actually been aware of the risk of gadolinium toxicity and retention in patients, yet failed to warn the public and the medical community about these risks or in the product’s labeling.

If you have suffered from side effects of gadolinium contrast dye after undergoing an MRI with a gadolinium contrast, though a method of gadolinium detoxification has not been found, you may be able to file a gadolinium toxicity lawsuit. While filing a gadolinium toxicity lawsuit cannot undo the permanent harm that may have been incurred, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.