Technetium Tc-99m pentetate is a radioactive agent which is used for diagnostic purposes by the healthcare professionals. This medicine is usually given to the patients by intravenous injection to perform kidney imaging, brain imaging, to assess renal perfusion, and to estimate glomerular filtration rate.
The images of both kidneys can be obtained in first few minutes after administration of such medication which represent the vascular pool within the kidneys. On the contrary, subsequent images of the kidneys demonstrate the radioactivity which is in the urine of both the collection system and the renal pelvis.
However, this medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.
If you are about to start this drug therapy, the risk-benefit ratio of taking the drug should be considered carefully. Besides, there are some important factors such as drug interactions, metabolic impairment, hypersensitivity reaction, pregnancy, lactation etc. which may alter the desired therapeutic effects of such medications.
Sometimes the presence of other health disorders affects the desired effects of this medicine and even may cause serious toxic effects. If you have had any allergic reactions to any medicine then you must inform your doctor about that. The use of technetium Tc-99m pentetate is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this product. In addition, presence of any renal disease may affect the image quality of this diagnostic test.
Certain drugs should not be used together when you are undergoing this diagnostic procedure. It is always recommended to consult with your doctor if you are in need of some other medications or even any over-the-counter medicine for another health problem in order to avoid unwanted toxic effects.
However, there have been no studies conducted with technetium Tc-99m pentetate injection in pregnant women. It is not known whether this drug can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Thus, this medicine can be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Since technetium Tc-99m is excreted through human milk during lactation, formula feedings may be substituted for breast feedings. Moreover, the safety and effectiveness of this drug usage in pediatric patients have not been established yet.
The patient should be encouraged to increase fluid intake, and to void when the examination is completed and as often thereafter as possible for the next 4 to 6 hours in order to minimize the radiation dose to the bladder. The patient dose should be measured by a suitable radioactivity calibration system immediately prior to administration.
It is recommended to store the finished solution at 25°C (77°F) in a suitable lead shield. Further, this solution should not be used beyond 12 hours. In addition, parenteral drug products should be inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Therefore, this drug must not be used if the solution contains particulate matter or is not a clear solution.
The recommended dose range for intravenous administration may vary as follows:
- Kidney imaging and glomerular filtration rate estimation: 111 to 185 MBq (3 to 5 mCi)
- Brain imaging or assessment of renal perfusion: 370 to 740 MBq (10 to 20 mCi)
There are some unwanted side effects associated with each drug that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects usually go away as your body adjusts to this agent.
Your healthcare professional may advise you about the ways how to prevent or reduce those unwanted side effects.
Sometimes you may need to consult with the doctor if you notice any pyrogenic and/or allergic reaction to technetium Tc-99m pentetate preparations.
