As a low-osmolar nonionic monomer, Ioxilan increases the safety and tolerance of X-ray contrast agents. 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.

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.