Gastrografin® is a water-soluble iodinated radiopaque contrast agent for x-ray examinations of the esophagus, stomach, proximal small intestine, colon and is also used for bowel visualization in abdominal computer tomograms.
The high opacification and delineation after oral or rectal administration is caused by a low absorption of the intact gastrointestinal tract. However, visualization of the distal small bowel is generally unsatisfactory, since the hypertonicity of the medium causes intraluminal diffusion of water with subsequent dilution.

The Germany-based pharmaceutical company is the result of the take-over of Schering AG by Bayer AG in 2006. The Bayer Schering Pharma AG is part of the Bayer HealthCare AG, which represents the pharmaceutical part of the Bayer Group. Activities of the Bayer Schering Pharma AG are Diagnostic Imaging, Hematology & Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. The diagnostic imaging part's contrast agents for MRI, x-ray and CT are 'world-market leaders'.
See also Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.