Metastron (Intravenous, Injection)

Strontium chloride Sr 89 is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive substances that can be used to diagnose some diseases by examining how the body's organs work or to treat certain diseases.

Strontium chloride Sr 89 is used to help relieve bone pain that may happen with some types of cancer. The radioactive strontium is absorbed in the area of bone cancer and emits radiation that helps relieve pain.

Strontium chloride Sr 89 must be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor who has specialized training in nuclear medicine or radiation oncology.

It is very important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working well and to look for unwanted effects. You may need to have blood tests done regularly.

Follow these guidelines for 1 week after receiving strontium chloride Sr 89 to help reduce the chance of contaminating other people or the environment:

• Use a normal toilet, if available, instead of a urinal.
• Strontium chloride Sr 89 is passed in urine and feces. To prevent contamination of your home environment, flush the toilet twice after using.
• Wipe any spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.
• Wash your hands after using or cleaning the toilet.
• Wash your clothes and bed linens immediately if they become soiled with your urine or blood. Wash them separately from other clothes.
• If you cut yourself, wash away any spilled blood.

Strontium chloride Sr 89 can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If your blood count becomes abnormally low, there are certain precautions you can take to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding, such as:

• With abnormally low white blood cell counts: If possible, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination. Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may suggest other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• With abnormally low platelet blood counts: Be careful not to cut yourself when using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail clippers. Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could happen.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine versus the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, keep the following points in mind:

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 on this medicine have only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information about its use in children.

Geriatric

Strontium chloride Sr 89 has been used in older adults and has not been found to cause different side effects or issues in older adults compared to younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while 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 can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. 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 used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may impact the use of strontium chloride Sr 89. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. When strontium chloride Sr 89 is used at the recommended doses, side effects are usually rare. However, blood problems, such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells or platelets, may happen in some patients.

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

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in urine or stools
• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

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 about ways 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:

More common

• Flushing
• Increase in bone pain

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

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

In the U.S.

• Metastron

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Radiopharmaceutical, Antineoplastic

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

If you have a problem controlling your bladder, tell your doctor before receiving strontium chloride Sr 89. Special precautions will need to be taken to prevent contamination of clothing, bed linen, and the environment.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.