Compositions of iodobenzoic acid derivatives for visualization of the gastrointestinal tract

A compound selected from the group consisting of:

• ethyl 3-(2-octyloxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoate and bis(2-octyl) 5-(2-octyloxy)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An orally or rectally administerable x-ray contrast composition for visualization of the gastrointestinal tract comprising a contrast agent selected from the group consisting of:

• 2-octyl 2,3,5-triiodobenzoate, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8-dodecafluoro-2-octyl 2,3,5-triiodobenzoate and bis (2-hexyl) 2,3,5,6-tetraiodoterephthalate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an aqueous, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic, anionic, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants.

An orally or rectally administerable x-ray contrast composition for visualization of the gastrointestinal tract comprising a contrast agent selected from the group consisting of:

• ethyl 3-(2-octyloxy)-2,4,6-triiodo-benzoate and bis(2-octyl) 5-(2-octyloxy)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an aqueous, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic, anionic, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants.

A method of carrying out x-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in need of such examination which comprises orally or rectally administering to the patient an x-ray contrast composition comprising a contrast agent selected from the group consisting of:

• 2-octyl 2,3,5-triiodobenzoate, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8-dodecafluoro-2-octyl 2,3,5-triiodobenzoate and bis (2-hexyl) 2,3,5,6-tetraiodoterephthalate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an aqueous, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic, anionic, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants.

A method of carrying out x-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in need of such examination which comprises orally or rectally administering to the patient an x-ray contrast composition comprising a contrast agent selected from the group consisting of:

• ethyl 3-(2-octyloxy)-2,4,6-triiodobenzoate and bis(2-octyl) 5-(2-octyloxy)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an aqueous, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic, anionic, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants.