OptiMARK (gadoversetamide) is the name of gadolinium based contrast agent that is manufactured by Mallinckrodt Inc. OptiMARK was approved in December 1999 and is used in medical imaging scans in order to help doctors see abnormalities in tissue and make diagnoses. On May 23, 2007, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration requested that the manufacturers of OptiMARK add a new boxed warning on the product labeling because of reports linking gadolinium contrast agents to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a relatively rare condition that causes a hardening and tightening of the skin. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Patients with kidney problems are at risk for NSF because their kidneys are unable to safely flush gadolinium out of the body following an MRI or MRA. Some patients report early symptoms of NSF within days of being injected with a gadolinium based contrast agent, such as OptiMARK.

If you have been diagnosed with NSF following the use of OptiMARK contrast agent in an MRI, it is important to consult with a gadolinium lawyer in order to ensure that your rights are protected.