Pentagastrin : Before Using

Pentagastrin - Diagnostic

Brand Names

Peptavlon Pentagastrin *** Before Using *** Side Effects

Before Having This Test

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any chance of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. Always test results may be effected by other things. For pentagastrin, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to pentagastrin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or pets.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether pentagastrin passes into the breast milk. Although most medication pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be using safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are receiving this diagnostic test and wish to breast-feed must discuss this with their family doctor.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of pentagastrin in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of pentagastrin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you will be given pentagastrin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Antacids
Anticholinergics - drug for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps
Cimetidine - Tagamet
Famotidine - Pepcid
Nizatidine - Axid
Omeprazole - Prilosec
Ranitidine - Zantac These medication decrease the effect that pentagastrin has on the production of stomach acid and the test may not work

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of pentagastrin. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Gallbladder problems
Liver disease
Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas - severe
Stomach ulcer - severe or bleeding Pentagastrin may make these conditions worse

Preparation for This Test

Unless otherwise directed by your family doctor:

Do not eat anything beginning the night before and do not drink anything for at least four hours before the test. Having food or liquid in the stomach may effect the interpretation of the test results.
Do not take antacids on the morning of the test. To do so may decrease the effect of pentagastrin and effect the test results.
For 24 hours before the test, do not take any anticholinergics - drug for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps, cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, or any other drug that decreases stomach acid. Do not take omeprazole for 96 hours - 4 days before the test.