FDA Requests Boxed Warning for Contrast Agents Used to Improve MRI Images

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01638.html
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers to include a new boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents which are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What is gadolinium?
Gadolinium is a silvery white, malleable and ductile rare earth metal with a metallic luster. It crystallizes in hexagonal close-packed alpha form at room temperature. Gadolinium compounds have low to moderate toxicity, although their toxicity has not been investigated in detail.

Official Web site for Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy Research
http://www.icnfdr.org/
Resource page for people with Nephrogenic Systematic Fibrosis and Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF and NFD); includes treatment options, prognosis, support group link, and articles.

MRI Patient Information
http://www.mr-tip.com/serv1.php?type=pin&sub=1
Everything you always wanted to know or didn't think to ask about MRIs. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The Web site includes the risks, procedures, and scientific-speak of magnetic resonance imagine. Use the forum to ask questions.

National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org/kidneyDisease/
What you should know about kidney disease – early detection, how your kidneys work, various kidney diseases, kidney dialysis, kidney stones, nutrition and diet, children and kidney disease.