Iodotope

Iodotope is substance or agent used by doctors to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive, but they emit very small amounts of radiation that makes them safe to the body.

Radiopharmaceuticals spread throughout the tissue sometime after administration. The tiny amount of radiation is detected by imaging devices and works to make the organ or tissue more visible to imaging. This help doctors see the organ or tissue much more clearly to diagnose the presence of tumors, blockages, abscess, swelling or other abnormalities.

At larger doses, Radiopharmaceutical is used to treat diseases like cancer.

Radiopharmaceuticals can be taken by mouth, injected into the veins or even placed in the eye or bladder. 

There are several different kinds of Radiopharmaceuticals. Here are the different kinds of Radiopharmaceuticals and their indicated uses:

• Abscesses and infections - Gallium Citrate Ga 67, Indium In 111 Oxyquinoline
• Blockage in the biliary tract - Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin, Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin, Technetium Tc 99m Mebrofenin
• Blood volume studies - Radioiodinated Albumin, Sodium Chromate Cr 51
• Disease in blood vessels - Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
• Blood vessel conditions in the brain - Ammonia N 13, Iofetamine I 123, Technetium Tc 99m Bicisate, Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime, Xenon Xe 133
• Bone diseases - Sodium Fluoride F 18, Technetium Tc 99m Medronate, Technetium Tc 99m Oxidronate, Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate, Technetium Tc 99m (Pyro- and trimeta-) Phosphates
• Bone marrow diseases - Sodium Chromate Cr 51, Technetium Tc 99m Albumin Colloid, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
• Brain tumors and diseases - Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Indium In 111 Pentetreotide, Iofetamine I 123, Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m, Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime, Technetium Tc 99m Gluceptate, Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
• Cancers or tumors - Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Gallium Citrate Ga 67, Indium In 111 Pentetreotide, Methionine C 11, Radioiodinated Iobenguane, Sodium Fluoride F 18, Technetium Tc 99m Arcitumomab, Technetium Tc 99m Nofetumomab Merpentan
• Disease in the colon and rectum - Technetium Tc 99m Arcitumomab
• Disorders of iron metabolism and absorption - Ferrous Citrate Fe 59
• Heart disease - Ammonia N 13, Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Rubidium Rb 82, Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m, Technetium Tc 99m Albumin, Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi, Technetium Tc 99m Teboroxime, Technetium Tc 99m Tetrofosmin, Thallous Chloride Tl 201
• Heart attack - Ammonia N 13, Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Rubidium Rb 82, Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate, Technetium Tc 99m (Pyro- and trimeta-) Phosphates, Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi, Technetium Tc 99m Teboroxime, Technetium Tc 99m Tetrofosmin, Thallous Chloride Tl 201
• Problems in circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain - Indium In 111 Pentetate
• Kidney disease - Iodohippurate Sodium I 123, Iodohippurate Sodium I 131, Iothalamate Sodium I 125, Technetium Tc 99m Gluceptate, Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide, Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate, Technetium Tc 99m Succimer
• Liver conditions - Ammonia N 13, Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Technetium Tc 99m Albumin Colloid, Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin, Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin, Technetium Tc 99m Mebrofenin, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
• Lung conditions - Krypton Kr 81m, Technetium Tc 99m Albumin Aggregated, Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate, Xenon Xe 127, Xenon Xe 133
• Cancer and other conditions in the parathyroid gland - Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi, Thallous Chloride Tl 201
• Impaired vitamin B12 absorption in the intestines and pernicious anemia - Cyanocobalamin Co 57
• Disease of the red blood cells - Sodium Chromate Cr 51
• Diseases of the salivary glands - Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
• Disease in the spleen - Sodium Chromate Cr 51, Technetium Tc 99m Albumin Colloid, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
• Stomach and intestines - Sodium Chromate Cr 51, Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m, Technetium Tc 99m (Pyro- and trimeta-) Phosphates, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
• Blockage in the tear duct - Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
• Thyroid diseases and cancer - Fludeoxyglucose F 18, Indium In 111 Pentetreotide, Radioiodinated Iobenguane, Sodium Iodide I 123, Sodium Iodide I 131, Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m, Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
• Disease in the urinary bladder - Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m

Certain Radiopharmaceuticals, such as OncoScint(R) CR/CV (satumomab pendetide) and NeutroSpec (technetium 99m TC fanolesomab), was discontinued in the United States due to high risk of severe side effects.

Radiopharmaceuticals require a prescription according to doctor’s instructions.

Only doctors specializing in a field of science called Nuclear Medicine can prescribe and treat using Radiopharmaceuticals.

Before using Iodotope, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Tell the doctor if you experienced sensitivities or allergies to certain Radiopharmaceuticals.

Certain Radiopharmaceuticals can be used to children and elderly, though they may need monitoring or additional lab tests.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Radiopharmaceuticals.

Radiopharmaceuticals emit radiation can harm unborn babies in pregnant patients. If you are female and of reproductive age, the doctor may order a pregnancy test before your receive Radiopharmaceuticals to ensure you are not pregnant.

Make sure you tell all the medications you take before taking Radiopharmaceuticals.

To use Iodotope properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Radiopharmaceuticals require special steps in preparation and administration. The doctor will tell you in advance on to do before the test.

Depending on the procedure, you may have to fast hours before the test, or drink plenty of fluids or have enemas or laxatives after that.

For accurate results and low chances of adverse effects, make sure you follow the instructions well.

Call the doctor if you need help in understanding the instructions.

Before using Iodotope, there are some precautions you must take.

The amount of Radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosis is usually very small, so no special precautions are necessary.

In many tests, doctors will recommend you to take plenty of fluids after the test. Many Radiopharmaceuticals are eliminated in the kidneys, and drinking more fluids help flush them out.

Call your doctor if you became

• dehydrated,
• have fever,
• vomiting,
• have reduced or zero urine output.

Certain Radiopharmaceuticals can alter lab results. For example, radioactive iodine may alter future thyroid tests.

If you receive care from another doctor or will have lab tests, make sure they know you received Radiopharmaceuticals.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Iodotope.

The amount of Radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosis is very small, so adverse effects are unlikely. If they do occur, an allergic reaction is usually the most common.

Call your doctor if you experienced the following:

• Allergic reaction symptoms such as a rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
• Fever
• Chills
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe drowsiness
• Fast heart rate
• Flushing or redness of skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the hands or feet