Brand Names

Category

• Antineoplastic

Description

Radioiodinated iobenguane (eye-oh-BEN-gwane) is a radiopharmaceutical (ray-dee-oh-far-ma-SOO-ti-kal) . Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, which may be used to find and treat certain diseases or to study the function of the body's organs.

Radioiodinated iobenguane is used to treat certain kinds of cancer of the adrenal glands.

When very small doses of radioiodinated iobenguane are given, the radioactivity taken up by the adrenal gland helps find tumors of the adrenal glands. An image of the gland on film or on a computer screen can be provided to help with the diagnosis.

The information that follows applies only to the use of radioiodinated iobenguane in treating cancer of the adrenal gland .

Radioiodinated iobenguane is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine. Radioiodinated iobenguane is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For radioiodinated iobenguane, the following should be considered:

Pregnancy--This radiopharmaceutical is not recommended for use during pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to harmful levels of radiation.

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

Children and adolescents--Children and adolescents are especially sensitive to the effects of radiation. This may increase the chance of side effects during and after treatment. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Older adults--Radioiodinated iobenguane has been used in older people and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving radioiodinated iobenguane, it is especially important that your doctor knows if you are taking any of the following:

• Amphetamines or
• Appetite suppressants (diet pills) or
• Calcium channel blocking agents (diltiazem [e.g., Cardizem], nicardipine [e.g., Cardene], nifedipine [e.g., Procardia], verapamil [e.g., Calan]) or
• Cocaine or
• Guanethidine (e.g., Ismelin) or
• Haloperidol (e.g., Haldol) or
• Labetalol (e.g., Normodyne) or
• Loxapine (e.g., Loxitane) or
• Medicines for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays) or
• Phenothiazines (acetophenazine [e.g., Tindal], chlorpromazine [e.g., Thorazine], fluphenazine [e.g., Prolixin], mesoridazine [e.g., Serentil], perphenazine [e.g., Trilafon], prochlorperazine [e.g., Compazine], promazine [e.g., Sparine], promethazine [e.g., Phenergan], thioridazine [e.g., Mellaril], trifluoperazine [e.g., Stelazine], triflupromazine [e.g., Vesprin], trimeprazine [e.g., Temaril]) or
• Reserpine (e.g., Serpasil) or
• Thiothixene (e.g., Navane) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])--These medicines may keep the affected organ or tissue from getting the amount of radioiodinated iobenguane it needs to fight the disease

Your doctor may have special instructions for you in preparation for your treatment. If you have not received such instructions or you do not understand them, check with your doctor in advance.

This radiopharmaceutical contains radioactive iodine, which may be taken up in your thyroid. To protect your thyroid, your doctor will prescribe a medicine (e.g., potassium iodide or SSKI) that contains non-radioactive iodine. You must take this medicine before starting treatment with radioiodinated iobenguane and continue taking it after treatment for as long as your doctor tells you.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur after treatment for tumors of the adrenal gland:

Rare

Pale skin; sore throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common or rare

Flushing of skin; nausea; slight and temporary increase in blood pressure

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 05/05/93

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