Sodium o Iodohippurate is a medical injectable drug used to assess the blood flow and function of the kidneys. The word is spelled phonetically as /ˈsəʊdɪəm əʊ aɪəʊdəʊˈhɪpjʊreɪt/. The "o" stands for ortho, meaning two substituents are in adjacent positions on an aromatic ring, and "iodo" refers to the iodine atom in the compound. This spelling convention is used to describe the structure of organic compounds. In medicine, accurate spelling and pronunciation are crucial, especially when dealing with prescription drugs.
Sodium o-iodohippurate is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C9H5IN2NaO3. It is commonly known as IOH or Hippuran. Sodium o-iodohippurate is a radiopharmaceutical that is widely used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic purposes, particularly in renal imaging.
The compound is a sodium salt derived from o-iodohippuric acid, which is produced by chemically combining iodine with hippuric acid. It is usually administered intravenously to patients, where it is rapidly filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine. The iodine component makes it an effective radiotracer for imaging the renal system, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor kidney function and diagnose various renal conditions.
Sodium o-iodohippurate emits gamma radiation, which can be detected by a gamma camera to create images of the kidney and its blood supply. This non-invasive imaging technique provides valuable information about renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, tubular function, and overall kidney health.
Due to its relatively low toxicity and ease of use, sodium o-iodohippurate is considered a safe and reliable contrast agent for renal imaging. It has been widely used for several decades and remains a popular choice for assessing kidney function in clinical practice.