HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

When you have a ct scan why do you need to drink barium sulfate suspension?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Gastrograffin: You do not drink barium for a ct scan, only fluoroscopy exams. Barium is too dense for ct. For a ct you drink gastrograffin in order to highlight the bowel and allow differentiation between bowel and other structures.

Answered 7/28/2018

5.7k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I had a CT scan on thursday, i still feel sick from having to drink that stuff (barium?), how long will side effects last? Nauseous, dizzy, etc?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Have to drink barium sulfate night before and morning of ct . scared of side effects or sever allergic reaction. I'm already constipated, cancel it?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

CT Scan to see liver, kidney, maybe bowel. Will I see what I need to see w/o drinking barium? Looking for stones, kidney swelling, liver issues mainly. No contrast of any kind. Is that OK?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Small bowel cancer diagnoses is barium xray why it has not replaced by CT scan both need barium drinking but CT show more things?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I am taking barium sulphate suspension tonight for a cat scan tomorrow. Shall i omit my nightly polyethylene glycol and metamucil?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I have to take a CT scan next week for abdomen and pelvis and need to drink barium sulfate. I am concerned about allergic reactions. are they common ?
If i'm going to have a cat scan w/o and then w/ contrast, why would I have to drink barium sulfate the night before? Wouldn't that mean it's only w/?
Are allergic reactions likely with drinking barium for a CT scan?
When going in for my CT scan do i need to be empty( no food/drink)if I'm going to be drinking barium?
Can a liquid barium drink for CT scan prep irritate the colon after a recent case of diverticulitis?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.