Thallous chloride tl 201 (Intravenous)

Thallous chloride Tl 201 injection is used in adults to help diagnose heart disease (for example, coronary artery disease, heart attack). It is used in specific procedures called planar scintigraphy or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This medicine shows how much blood is reaching your heart muscle when you are resting or exercising (stressed). Thallous chloride Tl 201 is part of a group of medicines known as radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive agents).

This medicine is also used to help diagnose problems with the parathyroid glands.

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 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.

You may receive a medicine to make your heart beat faster. This is called a pharmacologic stress test. It is used along with the planar scintigraphy or SPECT scan to show how well your heart muscle functions when it is under stress. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about this test.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor or nurse right away if you experience cold, clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, a skin rash, itching, sweating, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest, or chest pain after receiving the medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have mild burning pain, a feeling of warmth or coldness, or redness at the injection site.

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

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

It is important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant before receiving this medicine.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, it’s important to consider any risks of the test compared to the benefits it may provide. This is a decision you will make with your doctor. 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 other types of allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been done to assess how age affects the impact of thallous chloride Tl 201 injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the effectiveness of thallous chloride Tl 201 injection. However, older patients are more likely to experience age-related issues with their liver, kidneys, or heart, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for those receiving thallous chloride Tl 201 injection.

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 against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might 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 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. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

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

• Breathing or lung problems (e.g., bronchoconstriction) or
• History of heart attack or
• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia) or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
• History of stroke—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

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

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

Incidence not known

• Blurred vision
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Chills
• Confusion
• Cough
• Difficulty with breathing
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Dizziness
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Feeling of warmth
• Fever
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• Inability to speak
• Nausea
• Noisy breathing
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• Seizures
• Severe or sudden headache
• Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Slurred speech
• Sweating
• Temporary blindness
• Tightness in the chest
• Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

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. 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:

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
• Burning, dry, or itching eyes
• Discharge or excessive tearing
• Mild diarrhea
• Redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

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 planar scintigraphy or SPECT scan.

Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your test.

You may be asked to sit upright while you receive your injection.

Your planar scintigraphy or SPECT scan will be performed within 10 to 20 minutes after you receive this medicine.