SUGGESTED PREMEDICATION REGIMEN (ADULT)
FOR PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST ACUTE ALLERGIC-LIKE CONTRAST REACTIONS

• Oral / Elective:
  Prednisone 50 mg PO 13, 7, and 1 hour prior to examination
     and
  Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg PO (or IM) 1 hour prior to exam
  
  
• (If patient cannot take oral medication, substitute hydrocortisone 200 mg IV for each prednisone dose and give diphenhydramine IV.)

For patients with a history of severe previous reaction to contrast, may consider adding:
Cimetidine (Tagamet) 300 mg PO (or IV, diluted in 20 ml or more normal saline and infused slowly over a minimum of 5 minutes) 1 hour prior to exam
(Cimetidine should be given only to patients also receiving diphenhydramine)

• Intravenous / Urgent:
  Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) 200 mg IV stat and q 4 hour until exam complete
  Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg IV 1 hour before procedure if time permits