Flutemetamol f 18 (Intravenous)

Flutemetamol F 18 injection is used to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive (mental) issues. It is used along with a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to help your doctor see an image of your brain.

Flutemetamol 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 should only be given by or under the direct supervision of a doctor who has specialized training in nuclear medicine.

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

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including trouble breathing, feeling warm, or redness of the face, neck, arms, and sometimes, the upper chest. If you experience these side effects, inform your doctor immediately.

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

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. Also, other factors may affect 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 inform your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Flutemetamol f 18 injection is not approved for use in children.

Geriatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific issues in older adults that would limit the usefulness of flutemetamol f 18 injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and 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 combined 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 non-prescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Drinking alcohol or using 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 intended effects, a medicine can also cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you might need medical attention.

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

Less common

• Feeling of warmth
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and sometimes, upper chest

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

Less common

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea

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

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

In the U.S.

• Vizamyl

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Diagnostic Agent

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 will have you drink plenty of water or other fluids before and after you have the PET scan.

You will need to urinate right away and as often as possible for 24 hours after receiving this medicine.