Ioxilan is a low-osmolar, nonionic, and tri-iodinated diagnostic contrast agent used for excretory urography and contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) imaging of the head and body. Intravascularly injected causes opacification of vessels, allowing for radiographic visualization of internal structures until significant hemodilution occurs.

The development of Ioxilan is based on the introduction of a double methylene as a hydrophobic region and masking it with a hydrophilic hydroxyl group could lower the osmolality without adversely affecting the biological tolerance.As a low-osmolar nonionic monomer, Ioxilan increases the safety and tolerance of X-ray contrast agents.

Rapid intravenous injection of water-soluble X-ray contrast agents (Ioxilan) can be performed with dynamic computed tomography to improve the detectability of liver lesions. When injected intravenously, water-soluble, intravenous X-ray contrast agents are largely distributed in the extracellular fluid space and excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Contrast enhancement of a region of interest depends on the route of administration, delivery of the agent to the area by blood flow, and the final iodine concentration in the region.