Radiopharmaceuticals : Before Using

Radiopharmaceuticals - Diagnostic

Radiopharmaceuticals *** Before Using *** Fore Safe Use *** 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 radiopharmaceuticals, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

If you will be receiving albumin in the form of radioiodinated albumin, technetium Tc 99m albumin aggregated, technetium Tc 99m albumin colloid, or technetium Tc 99m albumin for your test, tell your family doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergy to products containing human serum albumin. Also tell your family doctor if you are allergic to any other substance, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Radiopharmaceuticals usually are not recommended for use during pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. Some radiopharmaceuticals may be using for diagnostic tests in pregnant women, but it is necessary to inform your family doctor if you are pregnant so the family doctor may reduce the radiation dose to the baby. This is especially important with radiopharmaceuticals that contain radioactive iodine, which can go to the baby's thyroid gland and, in high enough amounts, may cause thyroid damage. Be sure you have discussed this with your family doctor.

Breast-feeding problem

Some radiopharmaceuticals pass into the breast milk and may expose the baby to radiation. If you must receive a radiopharmaceutical, it may be necessary for you to stop breast-feeding for some time after receiving it. Be sure you have discussed this with your family doctor.

Use for Children

For most radiopharmaceuticals, the amount of radiation using for a diagnostic test is very low and considered safe. However, be sure you have discussed with your family doctor the benefit versus the risk of exposing your child to radiation.

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. Although there is no special info comparing use of most radiopharmaceuticals in the elderly with use in other age groups, problems would not be expected to occur. However, it is a good idea to check with your family doctor if you notice any unusual effects after receiving a radiopharmaceutical.

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 are going to receive a radiopharmaceutical, it is especially important that your family doctor know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription - over-the-counter "OTC " drug.

In addition, if you will be receiving radioactive iodine - sodium iodide I 123, sodium iodide I 131 or sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m for a thyroid test, it is especially important that your family doctor know if you have been taking iodine through other drug or foods. For example, the results of your test may be effected if:

You are taking iodine-containing medication, including certain multivitamins and cough syrups.

You eat large amounts of iodine-containing foods, such as iodized salt, seafood, cabbage, kale, rape - turnip-like vegetable, or turnips.

You have had an x-ray test recently for which you were given a special dye that contained iodine.

Other Information for using

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

Preparation for This Test

The nuclear drug family doctor may have special instructions for you in preparation for your test. For example, before some tests you must fast for few hours, or the results of the test may be effected. For other tests you must drink plenty of liquids. If you do not understand the instructions you receive or if you have not received any instructions, check with the nuclear drug family doctor in advance.