Fluorodopa f 18 (Intravenous)

Fluorodopa F 18 injection is used in adults to help diagnose Parkinsonian syndromes and other cognitive (mental) issues. It is used in a procedure called positron emission tomography (PET) scan to help your doctor see an image of your brain.

Fluorodopa F 18 is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents that may be used to find and treat certain diseases or to study how the body's organs work.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.

It is very important that your doctor closely monitors your progress while you are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is working correctly and decide if you should keep receiving it.

While receiving this medicine, you will be exposed to radiation. If you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor.

It is important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. Additionally, other factors may influence test results. For this test, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other types of allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been conducted on the effects of fluorodopa F 18 injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the effects of fluorodopa F 18 injection in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives, itching, or rash
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• redness of the skin
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing or swallowing

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Pain, redness, or skin irritation at the injection site

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins just before you have a PET scan.

Your doctor may want you to take carbidopa at least 1 hour before receiving this medicine. You may need to stop taking any medicines for Parkinson's disease at least 12 hours before receiving this medicine.

Drink enough water to be hydrated before the PET scan.

You will need to urinate right away and as often as possible for 12 hours after the PET scan.