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Freon 218: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Freon 218 - General Information

Freon 218, a diagnostic drug that is intended to be used for contrast enhancement during the indicated echocardiographic procedures, is comprised of lipid-coated microspheres filled with octafluoropropane(OFP) gas. When exposed to ultrasound waves, the microspheres resonate and "echo" strong signals back to the ultrasound machine. The difference in density between the gas-filled bubbles and the blood around them creates an increased level of contrast visible in the resulting ultrasound image. During echocardiography, activated Freon 218 enhances images of the inner edges or borders of the heart, producing an improved image that may enable physicians to better diagnose patients.

 

Pharmacology of Freon 218

Freon 218, a diagnostic drug that is intended to be used for contrast enhancement during the indicated echocardiographic procedures, comprised of lipid-coated microspheres filled with octafluoropropane(OFP) gas. It provide contrast enhancement of the endocardial borders during echocardiography. The perflutren lipid microspheres exhibit lower acoustic impedance than blood and enhance the intrinsic backscatter of blood.

 

Freon 218 for patients

 

Freon 218 Interactions

No separate information available.

 

Freon 218 Contraindications

Activated DEFINITY should not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to octafluoropropane or in patients with known cardiac shunts.

Activated DEFINITY should not be administered by direct intra-arterial injection.

 

Additional information about Freon 218

Freon 218 Indication

Use in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms to opacify the left ventricular chamber and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border.

Mechanism Of Action
Freon 218 is comprised of gas-filled microspheres that are injected or infused into the body. When exposed to ultrasound waves, the microspheres resonate and "echo" strong signals back to the ultrasound machine. The difference in density between the gas-filled bubbles and the blood around them creates an increased level of contrast visible in the resulting ultrasound image. During echocardiography, activated Freon 218 enhances images of the inner edges or borders of the heart, producing an improved image that may enable physicians to better diagnose patients.
Generic Name
Perflutren
Drug Category
Contrast Media; Ultrasound contrast agent
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Perflutren
Definity; Freon 218; Genetron 218; Octafluoropropane; Perfluoropropane; Perfluoropropane 99+%; Perfluoropropaneminimum; Perflutren [USAN]; Propane, octafluoro-;
Biotransformation
OFP is not metabolized. The phospholipid components of the microspheres are thought to be metabolized to free fatty acids.
Half Life
The mean half-life of OFP in blood 1.9 minutes
Dosage Forms of Freon 218
Suspension Intravenous
Chemical IUPAC Name
1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3-octafluoropropane
Chemical Formula
C3F8
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals