ProHance by Bracco Diagnostics
ProHance is a contrasting agent manufactured by Bracco Diagnostics. It is a brand-name product that helps doctors run imaging tests. ProHance is injected into the bloodstream of patients, where it helps to highlight abnormalities in tissue so that doctors can note these abnormalities and thus make a good diagnosis. Unfortunately, the active ingredient in ProHance is Gadolinium, which has been linked to Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) in patients with kidney problems. NSF is a serious and incurable disease which can disable and eventually kill. It begins with a tightening of the skin, often within days of a ProHance injection.
Even in patients with no kidney problems, ProHance can cause adverse side effects. The most common adverse reactions to the product include vomiting, taste problems, and nausea. Less common side effects include, watery eyes, skin inflammation, rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulties, wheezing, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, confusion, anxiety, abnormal heart beat, low blood pressure, and widening of blood vessels. So far, at least one case of NSF has been linked specifically to Bracco Diagnostics. In 2007, a patient with renal problems developed NSF after being given ProHance exclusively in imaging scans. This represented the first time that a case could positively be linked to ProHance specifically. Bracco Diagnostics defended its product by noting that the man had been given half-dozen double doses of Bracco's ProHance over two years, far more than is recommended even for healthy patients.
Bracco Diagnostics is part of a privately owned healthcare company known as the Bracco Group. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Diagnostics’ US branch is found in Princeton, New Jersey.
