Medical Product Alert N°1/2026: Substandard ACCUPAQUE (Iohexol), OMNIPAQUE (Iohexol) and VISIPAQUE (Iodixanol)

Summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning hospitals and doctors about a serious problem with certain medical dyes used for X-rays and heart scans. The dyes are called ACCUPAQUE, OMNIPAQUE, and VISIPAQUE. The warning is only for the 100 ml plastic bottles, not the glass ones.

Some of these plastic bottles have tiny pieces of metal stuck inside or floating in the liquid. If this metal is injected into a person's bloodstream, it can block blood vessels and cause life-threatening problems, like a stroke, heart attack, or breathing trouble. Doctors are being told to check their supplies, look closely at the liquid before using it, and throw away any bad batches. If you recently had a scan and feel sick, you should see a doctor right away.

For more details, see rssapp-who-int-news at who.int/news/item/07-05-2026-medical-product-alert-n-1-2026--substandard-accupaque-(iohexol (opens in new tab)--omnipaque-(iohexol)-and-visipaque--(iodixanol)