Barium sulfate API Manufacturers

General Description:

Barium sulfate, identified by CAS number 7727-43-7, is a notable compound with significant therapeutic applications. Barium sulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSO4 . Barium sulfate occurs in nature as the mineral _barite_. It is also used in various manufacturing applications and mixed into heavy concrete to serve as a radiation shield . This drug is used as a contrast agent in diagnostic x-ray procedures. Therapeutic advantages of barium sulfate in diagnostic procedures include both its low water solubility and high level of clearance from the body . Barium sulfate is ingested by mouth or administered rectally and combined with granules of effervescent bicarbonate to enhance distension of the GI tract, allowing for enhanced gastrointestinal tract visualization , .

Indications:

This drug is primarily indicated for: Barium sulfate is a radiographic contrast agent indicated for use in computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen to delineate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in adult and pediatric patients . Its use in specific medical scenarios underscores its importance in the therapeutic landscape.

Metabolism:

Barium sulfate undergoes metabolic processing primarily in: Barium sulfate is poorly water soluble and shows negligible levels of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract following both oral or rectal administration. In healthy subjects, orally administered barium sulfate is generally excreted within 24 hours. Rectally administered barium sulfate is eliminated with clearance of the enema . This metabolic pathway ensures efficient processing of the drug, helping to minimize potential toxicity and side effects.

Absorption:

The absorption characteristics of Barium sulfate are crucial for its therapeutic efficacy: Barium sulfate is not absorbed following oral or rectal administration with a normal gastrointestinal tract. In patients with a normal GI tract, barium sulfate is normally excreted within 24 hr after oral ingestion. Post rectal administration of barium sulfate suspensions, the drug is generally excreted when the enema is released. Some barium may remain in the colon for several weeks, however, and eventually clears, especially in patients with impaired intestinal peristalsis . It is difficult to quantify the uptake of ingested barium because of a number of factors affect its absorption. The presence of sulfate in food can cause the precipitation of barium sulfate . The following is the approximate time to peak opacification of organs by barium sulfate in a healthy GI tract: Esophagus, stomach, and duodenum uptake of barium sulfate occurs almost immediately after oral administration . Small intestine uptake is dependent on gastric emptying rate and viscosity of the preparation; it may be delayed 15-90 minutes post ingestion . Small intestine (enteroclysis studies) uptake is immediate, following direct instillation . Colon and distal small intestine uptake are dependent on patient positioning. Hydrostatic pressure also determines the rate and degree of opacification . The drug's ability to rapidly penetrate into cells ensures quick onset of action.

Route of Elimination:

The elimination of Barium sulfate from the body primarily occurs through: Barium sulfate is excreted unchanged in the feces . Understanding this pathway is essential for assessing potential drug accumulation and toxicity risks.

Clearance:

The clearance rate of Barium sulfate is a critical factor in determining its safe and effective dosage: The rate of excretion of barium sulfate is dependent on the route of administration and the status of peristaltic activity and motility of the gastrointestinal tract . It reflects the efficiency with which the drug is removed from the systemic circulation.

Pharmacodynamics:

Barium sulfate exerts its therapeutic effects through: Barium sulfate increases the absorption of x-rays as they are passed throughout the body, delineating body structures, in which barium sulfate is localized. This allows for the clear visualization of normal organs/defect in normal anatomy . The drug's ability to modulate various physiological processes underscores its efficacy in treating specific conditions.

Mechanism of Action:

Barium sulfate functions by: Barium sulfate is a heavy metal with a high atomic number (Z=56) and a K shell binding energy (K-edge of 37.4 keV) very close to that of most diagnostic x-ray beams. Due to these characteristics, barium is an ideal medium for the absorption of x-rays . Barium sulfate is essentially not absorbed from the GI tract nor metabolized in the body. Barium sulfate is used to fill the gastrointestinal tract lumen or to coat the mucosal surface and is administered orally, rectally, or instilled into an enterostomy tube or catheter , . Barium sulfate enhances delineation of the GI tract. The barium suspension covers the mucosal surface of the GI tract, allowing its shape, distensibility, motion, integrity, continuity, location within the torso, relationship to other organs to be closely examined . Various abnormalities, such as benign or malignant tumors, ulcers, strictures, diverticula, inflammation or infection, altered motility, displacement and other pathology can thereby be identified , . At lower concentrations (higher dilution), barium enhances the conspicuity of the GI tract to differentiate the GI tract from various abdominal organs in computed tomography examinations (CT scans) of the abdomen. Improved delineation of the gastrointestinal tract lumen and mucosa may be reached by contrast provided by gas (by the addition of bicarbonate or gas-filled balloons) in addition to the barium . This is known as a _double-contrast procedure_. Osmotically active agents (for example, sorbitol) are also used to induce fluid accumulation and distension of the GI system to enhance visualization . This mechanism highlights the drug's role in inhibiting or promoting specific biological pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Toxicity:

Classification:

Barium sulfate belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as alkaline earth metal sulfates. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is sulfate, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is an alkaline earth metal, classified under the direct parent group Alkaline earth metal sulfates. This compound is a part of the Inorganic compounds, falling under the Mixed metal/non-metal compounds superclass, and categorized within the Alkaline earth metal oxoanionic compounds class, specifically within the Alkaline earth metal sulfates subclass.

Categories:

Barium sulfate is categorized under the following therapeutic classes: Barium Compounds, Barium Sulfate Containing X-Ray Contrast Media, Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting, Contrast Media, Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals, Radiographic Contrast Agent, Sulfates, Sulfur Acids, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfuric Acids, X-Ray Contrast Activity, X-Ray Contrast Media, Non-Iodinated. These classifications highlight the drug's diverse therapeutic applications and its importance in treating various conditions.

Experimental Properties:

Further physical and chemical characteristics of Barium sulfate include:

• Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble in cold water
• Melting Point: 1580
• Boiling Point: decomposes