Diatrizoate
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 1 |
Table of Contents
Diatrizoate: From an Iodinated Contrast Agent to Rheumatoid Arthritis
One-Sentence Summary
Diatrizoate is an iodinated, high-osmolar radiographic contrast agent, marketed in India as an infusion product. The TxGNN model predicts it may be relevant to rheumatoid arthritis, but no clinical trials and only 1 publication exist, and that publication is a laboratory methods paper rather than a treatment study. The prediction is a model output without real-world therapeutic support.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Not stated in the licence data compiled for this report |
| Predicted New Indication | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9902 |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| India Market Status | Listed in a compiled Indian medicine price dataset (1 of 1) – CDSCO approval status is not included in this data |
| Number of Listed Products | 1 (valid: 1) |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Currently, detailed mechanism of action data is not available. Diatrizoate is known as an iodinated, high-osmolar contrast agent used for imaging. It has no recognised anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory pharmacology.
No credible mechanistic link to rheumatoid arthritis has been established. The high TxGNN score (0.9902) is a model-derived prediction only. The one retrieved publication (PMID 6491310, 1984) is a laboratory study of density-gradient centrifugation media. Diatrizoate salts are a component of Ficoll-Hypaque, which was used to separate blood cells from healthy people and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Here diatrizoate served as a laboratory reagent, not as a treatment. The association therefore most likely reflects a literature co-occurrence artefact rather than a therapeutic signal.
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered.
Literature Evidence
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6491310 | 1984 | In vitro laboratory methods study | Journal of Immunological Methods | Ficoll-Hypaque and Ficoll-Nycodenz centrifugation for separating blood cells from normal and rheumatoid arthritis patients; diatrizoate used only as a separation-medium component, not as a therapy |
India Market Information
| Authorization Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration No. 221587 | Trazograf 0.66gm/0.1gm Infusion | Bottle of 100 ml infusion | Not stated in the licence data |
The manufacturer is J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. This is the only licence, and it is a valid single-ingredient registration.
Safety Considerations
- Drug Interactions: 156 interactions are recorded in total. Examples rated Major include:
- Metformin
- Amphotericin B (including lipid complex, cholesteryl sulfate and liposomal forms)
- Aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin)
- Polymyxin B
- Vancomycin
- Acyclovir
- Ketorolac
- Aminosalicylates (mesalazine, balsalazide, olsalazine, sulfasalazine)
Examples rated Moderate include mannitol, acebutolol, acetazolamide and nifedipine. Many of the Major interactions involve potentially nephrotoxic drugs. Please refer to the package insert for further safety information.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The prediction rests only on a model score. The single publication is a laboratory methods paper that does not study diatrizoate as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, there are no clinical trials, and no plausible mechanism has been identified. The evidence level is L5.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Mechanism of action data, and evidence of any plausible anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory activity
- Preclinical or clinical studies that test diatrizoate directly in rheumatoid arthritis
- Package insert warnings, contraindications and approved indication text for the Indian licence
- Assessment of whether an iodinated contrast agent is a feasible therapeutic candidate, including route and renal safety
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.