Thallous Chloride Tl 201

Thallous chloride Tl 201 injection is used in adults to help diagnose heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart attack). It is used in certain procedures called planar scintigraphy or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). 

This medicine shows how much blood is getting to your heart muscle when you are resting or exercising (stressed). Thallous chloride Tl 201 belongs to the group of medicines called radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive agents). This medicine is also used to help diagnose parathyroid problems.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

 

Before using Thallous chloride Tl 201, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results.

For this test, the following should be considered:

Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric Population: Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of thallous chloride Tl 201 injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric Population: Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of thallous chloride Tl 201 injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving thallous chloride Tl 201 injection.

Pregnancy: All Trimesters: Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding: There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary.

Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions: Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Breathing or lung problems (e.g., bronchoconstriction)
• Heart attack, history of 
• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia) 
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) 
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) 
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse

Proper usage of Thallous chloride Tl 201 requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. 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.

Before using Thallous chloride Tl 201, there are some precautions you must take. It is very important that your doctor checks your progress very closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

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

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. 

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you have cold, clammy skin; confusion; dizziness; lightheadedness; a skin rash; itching; sweating; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble with breathing; warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest; or chest pain after you receive the medicine.

Tell your doctor right away if you have mild, burning pain; the 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, talk to 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. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before receiving this medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Thallous chloride Tl 201. 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:

Incidence not known:

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• the difficulty with breathing
• the difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• the feeling of warmth
• fever
• hives
• inability to speak
• itching
• 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
• a severe or a sudden headache
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• 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
• wheezing

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:

Incidence not known:

• bleeding
• blistering
• burning
• coldness
• discoloration of the skin
• the feeling of pressure
• hives
• infection
• inflammation
• itching
• lumps
• numbness
• pain
• rash
• redness
• scarring
• soreness
• stinging
• swelling
• tenderness
• tingling
• ulceration
• 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.