Gallium citrate ga 67 (Intravenous)

Gallium citrate Ga 67 injection 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.

Gallium citrate Ga 67 injection is used to help your doctor diagnose if you have certain types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, or lung cancer. It is also used to help your doctor check for acute swollen lesions.

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 checks you closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor see if the medicine is working properly and decide if you should keep receiving it.

While using this medicine, you may be exposed to radiation. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause serious reactions in newborns, premature or low-birthweight infants, or patients with liver disease. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.

The vial stopper contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before you start using this medicine.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, you and your doctor need to consider any risks of the test against the benefits it will provide. Other factors may also impact test results. For this test, please consider the following:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies have not been done to determine how age affects the use of gallium citrate Ga 67 injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.

Geriatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the effectiveness of gallium citrate Ga 67 injection. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart issues, which may need extra caution and may require a dose adjustment for those receiving gallium citrate Ga 67 injection.

Breast Feeding

Research on breastfeeding women has shown harmful effects on infants. An alternative to this medicine should be prescribed, or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might occur. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are receiving this diagnostic test, it is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Receiving this diagnostic test with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both medications may still be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both medications.

• Gallium Nitrate

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this diagnostic test is used. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Liver disease—Use with caution. May worsen this condition.

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

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

Rare

• Cough
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives
• itching
• nausea
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you ways to prevent or lessen 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

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• flushing or redness of the skin
• itching (severe)
• unusually warm skin

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 can 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.

Your doctor may want to give you medicines (e.g., enemas, laxatives) for one week after receiving gallium citrate Ga 67 injection. This is to help remove this medicine completely from your body.