meglumine

Meglumine, also known as N-methyl-D-glucamine, is an organic amine derived from glucose. It is formed by methylation of the amino group of glucamine and exists as a highly soluble, hygroscopic solid. In pharmaceutical practice, meglumine is used as a counterion to create various salts, most notably diatrizoate meglumine, to improve solubility and adjust osmolarity of solutions.

Diatrizoic acid, when neutralized with meglumine, yields diatrizoate meglumine; many iodinated contrast agents combine meglumine and sodium salts, and products such as Gastrografin contain diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium for gastrointestinal imaging. These meglumine-containing salts are valued for their water solubility and suitability for intravenous or oral administration in radiographic procedures.

Production and formulation: Meglumine salts are prepared by neutralizing diatrizoic acid with meglumine, producing water-soluble iodinated contrast media. Beyond diatrizoate salts, meglumine can serve as a counterion in other pharmaceutical salts to modulate solubility and pH in formulations.

Safety and clinical use: Administration of iodinated contrast media containing meglumine salts can be associated with hypersensitivity reactions and osmotically related side effects. In patients with renal impairment or other risk factors, the use of iodinated contrast requires careful consideration and monitoring. Meglumine itself is generally regarded within these formulations as a component of the salt rather than a standalone therapeutic agent.

See also: N-methyl-D-glucamine; diatrizoate; iodinated contrast agents.