Standard Care | Low Risk

Gadobutrol (GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 4.5354g/7.5mL injection syringe)

What to know about Gadobutrol — also sold as GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 4.5354g/7.5mL injection syringe, GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 9.0708g/15mL injection vial, GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 3.0236g/5mL injection syringe: uses, side effects, interactions, and safety considerations for people taking it or caring for someone who is.

Gadobutrol (brand names: GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 4.5354g/7.5mL injection syringe, GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 9.0708g/15mL injection vial, GADOVIST 1.0 gadobutrol 3.0236g/5mL injection syringe) is classified as Low risk (1 risk points) by AllMeds. It is a S4 medication under the TGA in Australia. FDA approved in the United States. MRI contrast agent with minimal workplace risk but requires medical administration.

Key Takeaways

  • TGA Schedule: S4 in Australia
  • Risk level: Low (1 points)
  • Recommended maximum duration: 1 days

Scheduling and Classification

Jurisdiction Classification Status
Australia (TGA) S4 Not PBS listed
United States (FDA) Rx only FDA approved

Risk Profile

Risk Level Low
Risk Points 1
CNS Depressant No
Respiratory Risk No
Max Duration 1 days

MRI contrast agent with minimal workplace risk but requires medical administration.

How Gadobutrol is regulated

Gadobutrol is overseen by medicines regulators in each country. The rules below explain how it's scheduled, what oversight applies, and what to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, changing, or stopping this medication.

Australia TGA / PBS / State Schemes

Classified as S4 under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

SIRA best practice guidelines recommend a maximum opioid duration of 1 days for acute pain. Prescribing beyond this requires documented clinical justification and may trigger a Reasonable and Necessary determination.

WorkSafe Victoria Drugs of Dependence Guidelines require monitoring for all S8 opioids. WorkCover QLD Pain Intervention Guidelines recommend multimodal pain management with opioids as a last resort.

United Kingdom NICE / MHRA / FPM

NICE NG193 (Chronic Pain) recommends against initiating opioids for chronic primary pain. The Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) Opioids Aware resource recommends structured opioid prescribing with regular review, dose limits, and documented tapering plans.

For personal injury claims in the UK, opioid prescribing duration and dose should be reviewed against NICE and FPM guidelines. Costs may be recoverable as a disbursement in high-value PI claims.

United States FDA / CDC / State WC

FDA approved for use in the United States.

FDA Boxed Warning: WARNING: RISK ASSOCIATED WITH INTRATHECAL USE and NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS Risk Associated with Intrathecal Use Intrathecal administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) can cause serious adverse reactions including death, coma, encephalopathy, and seizures. Gadobutrol injection is not approved for intrathecal use [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis GBCAs increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) among patients with impaired elimination of drugs. Avoid use of gadobutrol injection in these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrasted MRI or other modalities. NSF may result in fatal or debilitating fibrosis affecting the skin, muscle and internal organs. • The risk for NSF appears highest among patients with: o Chronic, severe kidney disease (GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m 2 ), or o Acute kidney injury. • Screen patients for acute kidney injury and other conditions that may reduce renal function. For patients at risk for chronically reduced renal function (for example, age > 60 years, hypertension or diabetes), estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) through laboratory testing. • For patients at highest risk for NSF, do not exceed the recommended gadobutrol injection dose and allow a sufficient period of time for elimination of the drug from the body prior to any re-administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . WARNING: RISK ASSOCIATED WITH INTRATHECAL USE and NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning • Intrathecal administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) can cause serious adverse reactions including death, coma, encephalopathy, and seizures. Gadobutrol injection is not approved for intrathecal use ( 5.1 ) • GBCAs increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) among patients with impaired elimination of drugs. Avoid use of gadobutrol injection in these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrasted MRI or other modalities. • The risk for NSF appears highest among patients with: o Chronic, severe kidney disease (GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m 2 ), or o Acute kidney injury. Screen patients for acute kidney injury and other conditions that may reduce renal function. For patients at risk for chronically reduced renal function (for example, age > 60 years, hypertension or diabetes), estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) through laboratory testing. ( 5.2 ).

The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids (2022) recommends non-opioid therapies as first-line treatment for pain. When opioids are prescribed, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration needed.

For workers compensation claims, many states require prior authorization for opioids beyond initial acute prescribing. State drug formularies (e.g. California MTUS, Texas, New York) may restrict or require step therapy before opioid approval.

New Zealand ACC / BPAC NZ / Medsafe

BPAC NZ recommends reassessing opioid therapy at regular intervals and limiting duration. The NZ Opioid Prescribing B-QuiCK Guide provides structured prescribing and tapering protocols.

ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers treatment-related medications for accepted claims. Opioid prescribing beyond guidelines may require ACC clinical review and approval.

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Important: This page is general health information, not personal medical advice. If you have questions about your medication — including starting it, stopping it, changing the dose, or combining it with something else — speak with your doctor or pharmacist. For an emergency or suspected overdose, call your local emergency number or poison information service immediately. Information is drawn from regulator and clinical guideline sources (TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBS, CDC); see our methodology for details.