MDP Kit for the Preparation of Technetium (99mTc) Medronate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about MDP Skeletal Agent, otherwise known as Methylene Diphosphonic Acid (Medronic Acid). It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your nuclear medicine physician or specialist. All medicines have potential risks and benefits associated with them. Your nuclear medicine physician or specialist has weighed the small risks of you being treated with an MDP injection against the benefits it is expected you will receive from it.
If you have any concerns about being given this injection, discuss them with your nuclear medicine specialist.
Keep this leaflet. You many need to read it again.
What MDP is used for
MDP Skeletal Agent is used with an imaging agent (radiotracer) to form an image of the skeleton.
The imaging agent
The imaging agent used is a radio tracer called Technetium-99m.Technetium-99m emits small amounts of radiation similar to X-rays. This radiation can be detected by a special camera, called a gamma camera, and produces an image known as a scan. A nuclear medicine physician or specialist interprets these scans and provides you with information related to your referral that otherwise may not be known or seen on plain X-rays.
Your nuclear medicine physician or specialist may be giving you MDP to help diagnose other conditions. Ask your nuclear medicine physician or specialist if you have any questions about why MDP is being given to you or why you have been referred for a scan.
For more information, ask for a copy of the booklet “Nuclear Medicine –Answering your
Questions” available from the hospital, clinic or supplier.
Before you receive the injection
It is important to tell your nuclear medicine physician or specialist if:
- You are pregnant
It is not known whether the injection is harmful to an unborn baby when administered to a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant, your physician will make a decision on the use of the medicine based on the risk benefit analysis
If you intend to become pregnant consult your doctor about the advised waiting period.
- You are breast-feeding
It is normal practice to suspend breast-feeding for at least 12 hours after the injection. It is known that Technetium-99m MDP passes into breast milk.
- You are taking other medicines
These medicines include vitamins, cough medicines and nasal congestants that you buy from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, without a prescription.
Some medication may interfere with the expected results; you will be advised what to do.
If you have not told your nuclear medicine physician or technologist about any of the above, tell them BEFORE you are given an MDP injection.
How it is MDP Injection given
MDP can only be administered by qualified staff with specific training in the safe use and handling of radio pharmaceuticals. MDP is given as an injection into a vein in your arm.
You may feel a slight pinprick from the needle when it is injected.
Test procedure
Following a 2 to 4 hour delay, you will have a scan that takes up to an hour. The scan is painless.
After being given a MDP Injection
It takes about 2 to 4 hours for MDP to work in your body and produce a clear picture of your bones. During this time you will be asked to drink a few glasses of fluid and pass urine. You will be advised of when you may leave and return for your scan.
Returning home
Continue your day to day activities with members of your family and friends as you would normally.
You will be asked to drink plenty of fluids and pass urine frequently over the 6 hour period following the scan to help flush the agent from your body.
Side effects
Tell your nuclear medicine specialist or technologist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after having an MDP injection.
No side effects directly related to MDP have been reported. A skin rash has been infrequently reported with similar agents.
Adequate long term studies have not been preformed in animals to determine whether this drug affects fertility, or has teratogenic or mutagenic potential. Safety and efficacy in children have not been established.
Storage
MDP is stored refrigerated by the hospital or clinic. Technetium-99m is produced fresh every day. Your nuclear medicine specialist or technologist will check the expiry date and time before giving you the MDP injection.
Product description
What it looks like
MDP is a freeze-dried white powder. It comes in a 10 mL vial. Technetium-99m is added to produce a clear colourless liquid. MDP is sterilised by gamma irradiation and is pyrogen free.
Ingredients
Active:
- Methylene Diphosphonic Acid (Medronic Acid)
- Technetium-99m.
Inactive:
- sodium chloride
- stannous chloride dihydrate
- ascorbic acid.
AUST R 10333
Supplier
ANSTO Health
Locked Bag 2001
Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232
Telephone: 1800 251 572
Facsimile: 02 9543 6111
ANSTO Health is a commercial enterprise of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), which is located at Lucas Heights, in Sydney, NSW.
Date of Revision: January 2012
Date of Printing: January 2012
Published by MIMS April 2019