VARIBAR^®

VARIBAR products for MBS studies... remove uncertainty from the mix with standard formulations^1-4,7-11

The only premixed, premeasured, and precise barium formulations for MBS studies that may:

• Reduce preparation time and wasted materials
   
• Avoid undesirable coating inherent to traditional GI barium preparations^2-5
   
• Support high-quality imaging³
   
• Enable reproducible results^2-5

Simple to use, the VARIBAR products are the only barium products with standardized barium concentration and viscosity ranges, which come premeasured and premixed*, eliminating the potential for variability in results.

VARIBAR products provide unmatched convenience with reproducible results. To ensure every issue was addressed, the VARIBAR products were developed in cooperation with speech language pathologists.

COATING FACTOR

VARIBAR products are specifically formulated with the minimal coating properties necessary to clearly visualize the dynamic swallowing process. Other barium contrast agents are formulated to maximize the mucosal coating needed for standard GI studies.

UNIFORM OPACIFICATION

Uniform opacification is important for consistent visualization. VARIBAR products offer a standard 40% w/v ratio of barium sulfate concentration across the product line, helping to ensure a uniform density in each product. In turn, you get the same visualization from each swallowing event, test after test, no matter what viscosity level.

^✝VARIBAR THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) for oral suspension is supplied as a powder and constituted to a standard volume with water.

TASTE & TEXTURE

Patient acceptance is always a concern when dealing with MBS studies. Some barium preparations taste unpleasant, and resistance among patients is high, possibly compromising swallowing.

With VARIBAR products, each viscosity is formulated to provide pleasant, easily tolerated flavors, textures and consistencies to help elicit normal salivation and a more natural swallowing action. The pleasing apple and vanilla flavors help increase patient acceptance and compliance.

PREPARATION TIME & WASTE

VARIBAR products are ready to use*. This eliminates the need to mix liquids with barium powders, pastes, and thickening agents. Your preparation time and overall waste of materials are reduced, as are expenditures over time.

ONE STANDARD. LESS UNCERTAINTY.

With standardized barium concentration and viscosity ranges, VARIBAR products reduce uncertainty, provide more consistent results, and increase patient acceptance.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDIZATION

Universal standards for swallowing evaluation, measurement and reporting methods currently don’t exist, leading many to see the MBS study as subjective.

The general consensus among healthcare professionals is that there has been no universally accepted, reliable, and clinically practical method for capturing swallowing impairment and comparing the results of MBS studies between clinics, research laboratories, and pre- and post-treatment testing. It is critical to develop a consistent method of testing to provide increased continuity and uniformity in MBS studies. VARIBAR products can help standardize testing, unlike anything else available today.

^✝VARIBAR THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) for oral suspension is supplied as a powder and constituted to a standard volume with water.

*VARIBAR THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) for oral suspension is supplied as a powder and constituted to a standard volume with water.

^1. Hazelwood, R.J., Armeson, K.E., Hill, E.G., Bonila, H.S., Martin-Harris, B. (2017). Identification of swallowing tasks from a modified barium swallow study that optimize the detection of physiologic impairment. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 1-9. Doi.org/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-S-16-0117. ^2. Robbins J, Nicosia M, Hind JA, Gill GD, Blanco R, Logemann J. Defining physical properties of fluids for dysphagia evaluation and treatment. ASHA, Special Interest Division 13. Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) Newsletter. 2002;11(2):16-19. ^3. Steele CM, Barbon C, Namasivayam A. Best Practices in Videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia Cafe. Accessed June 10, 2016. ^4. Hind J, Divyak E, Zielinski J, et al. Comparison of standardized bariums with varying rheological parameters on swallowing kinematics in males. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(9):1399 1401. ^5. Steele CM, Molfenter SM, Péladeau-Pigeon M, Stokely S. Challenges in preparing contrast media for videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia. 2013;28(3):464-467. doi:10.1007/s00455-013-9476-7 ^6. Martin-Harris, B., (2015) Standardized Training in Swallow Physiology – Evidence-Based Assessment Using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Approach. Gaylord, MI, Northern Speech Services. ^7. VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) for oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; May 2019. ^8. VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; February 2020 ^9. VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; January 2018. ^10. VARIBAR^® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; March 2018. 11. VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp, NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; Oct. 2016.

Indications and Usage:

VARIBAR^® TH (barium sulfate) oral suspension, VARIBAR^® N (barium sulfate) oral suspension and VARIBAR^® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) for oral suspension, are indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients. VARIBAR^® H (barium sulfate) oral suspension and VARIBAR^® P (barium sulfate) oral paste are indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

For oral administration. This product should not be used in patients with known or suspected perforation of the GI tract, known obstruction of the GI tract, high risk of aspiration, or hypersensitivity to barium sulfate products. Rarely, severe allergic reactions of anaphylactoid nature have been reported following administration of barium sulfate contrast agents. Aspiration may occur during the modified barium swallow examination, monitor the patient for aspiration.

VARIBAR is manufactured by E-Z-EM Canada Inc., Montreal, QC H1J 2Z4.

VARIBAR is a registered trademark of E-Z-EM, Inc.