What is Fludeoxyglucose and how does it work?
Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection (fdg) is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical used for diagnostic purposes in conjunction with Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
It is also used to assist assessment of
- cancer,
- coronary artery disease, or
- epileptic seizures.
Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection,USP is indicated in PET (positron emission tomography) for:
- Identification of regions of abnormal glucose metabolism associated with foci of epileptic seizures.
- Assessment of abnormal glucose metabolism to assist in the evaluation of malignancy in patients with known or suspected abnormalities found by other testing modalities, or in patients with an existing diagnosis of cancer.
- Assessment of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction, when used together with myocardial perfusion imaging, for the identification of left ventricular myocardium with residual glucose metabolism and reversible loss of systolic function.
Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection, USP is not indicated for distinguishing epileptogenic foci from brain tumors or other brain lesions which may cause seizures.
What are the side effects of Fludeoxyglucose?
Side effects from Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection are uncommon. Infrequent side effects of Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection include
What is the dosage for Fludeoxyglucose?
- F 18 (FDG) uptake may be changed by fasting or by blood sugar changes associated with diabetic mellitus.
- Blood glucose levels should be stabilized in non-diabetic patients by fasting before F 18 (FDG) injection.
- Diabetic patients may need stabilization of blood glucose on the day preceding and on the day of the F 18 (FDG) scan.
- The recommended dose of F 18 (FDG) for an adult (70 kg) is within the range 185-370 MBq (5-10 mCi), intravenous injection.
- In children doses as low as 2.6 mCi have been given.
- Optimal dose reductions for children have not been confirmed.
- The optimum rate of administration and upper safe dose for F 18 (FDG) have not been established.
- The time interval between doses of F 18 (FDG) should be long enough to allow substantial decay (physical and biological) of previous administrations.
- It is recommended that PET imaging be initiated within 40 minutes of F 18 (FDG) injection.
- The final dose for the patient should be calculated using proper decay factors from the time of the EOS, and measured by a suitable radioactivity calibration system before administration.
- F 18 (FDG), like other parenteral drug products, should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration, whenever solution and container permit.
- Preparations containing particulate matter or discoloration should not be administered. They should be disposed of in a safe manner, in compliance with applicable regulations.
- F 18 (FDG) should be stored upright in a lead shielded environment at controlled room temperature.
- Aseptic techniques and effective shielding should be employed in withdrawing doses for administration to patients.
- Waterproof gloves and effective shielding should be worn when handling the product.
Is Fludeoxyglucose safe to take when pregnant or breastfeeding?
- It is not known whether F 18 (FDG) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Therefore, F 18 (FDG) should not be administered to a pregnant woman unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
- It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when F 18 (FDG) is administered to a nursing woman.