Technetium tc 99m carbon (Inhalation)

Inhaled technetium Tc 99m carbon is used to help your doctor get an image of your lungs to evaluate lung issues in both children and adults. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive substances that may be used to detect and treat specific diseases or to examine how the body's organs work.

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

It is very important that your doctor checks you or your child closely while using this medicine. This will help your doctor see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should keep using it.

This medicine may cause transient hypoxia (low oxygen in the body). Contact your doctor immediately if you have bluish lips, confusion, dizziness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, or weakness.

You will be exposed to radiation when you receive this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

This medicine may cause lung or breathing problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you have chest tightness, cough, wheezing, or trouble breathing.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the benefits it will provide. This is a choice 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 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

Appropriate studies have not been conducted on the effects of inhaled technetium tc 99m carbon in children younger than 6 years old. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any age-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of inhaled technetium tc 99m carbon in older adults.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could occur. In these situations, your doctor might want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medications.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at the same time as eating or with 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 about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Lung or breathing problems (e.g., asthma)—Use with caution. This condition may worsen.

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Confusion
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• trouble breathing
• weakness

Rare

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Chest tightness

Some 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. 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 or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Change in taste
• loss of taste
• throat irritation

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 in a hospital. You will inhale the medicine through a mouthpiece placed in your mouth before you have a lung scan.