Sodium Oxidronate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about RADPHARM HDP. It does not contain all of the available information and does not take the place of talking to your doctor or nuclear medicine specialist.
All medicines, including diagnostic agents, have risks and benefits. Your referring doctor, in consultation with the nuclear medicine specialist, has weighed the risks of giving you RADPHARM HDP injection, against the benefits they expect the procedure will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given RADPHARM HDP, discuss with your doctor and/or nuclear medicine specialist.
Keep this leaflet as you may need to refer to it again.
What is RADPHARM HDP
RADPHARM HDP belongs to a group of medicines called radiopharmaceuticals.
RADPHARM HDP is only available through a doctor’s prescription.
RADPHARM HDP contains the active ingredient, sodium oxidronate and is reconstituted with sodium pertechnetate (99mTc) prior to injection. Once reconstituted, the product becomes radioactive.
What RADPHARM HDP is used for
RADPHARM HDP is used in conjunction with an imaging agent to detect alterations of the skeletal system in adults.
The imaging agent used is a radiotracer called Technetium-99m. Technetium-99m emits small amounts of radiation similar to x-rays which can be detected by a special camera (gamma camera) to produce an image known as a scan. A nuclear medicine specialist interprets these scans and provides information related to your referral.
Your nuclear medicine specialist may be giving you RADPHARM HDP to help diagnose other conditions.
Ask your nuclear medicine specialist if you have any questions about why RADPHARM HDP is being given to you and why you have been referred for a scan.
Before receiving RADPHARM HDP
Tell your nuclear medicine specialist or technologist if:
- You are or plan to become pregnant
If you are pregnant, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant, the nuclear medicine specialist will need to talk to your referring doctor before deciding whether you should have RADPHARM HDP injection. The nuclear medicine specialist may choose to postpone or adjust the procedure to ensure the safety of your unborn baby. - You are breast feeding
If breast feeding, express milk prior to your scan and store it. Suspend breast feeding and reduce contact with your child for 1 hour after receiving an injection of RADPHARM HDP. During this period, it is recommended that you express and discard at least one fraction of milk. - You have or are predisposed to hypocalcemia
Tell your doctor and/or the nuclear medicine specialist if you have or are predisposed to hypocalcemia (i.e. alkalosis) as caution should be taken in administering RADPHARM HDP in such patients. - You are taking other medicines
Tell your nuclear medicine specialist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket, or health food shop.
If you have not told your doctor, nuclear medicine specialist or technologist about any of the above, tell them BEFORE you are given RADPHARM HDP injection.
How RADPHARM HDP is given
RADPHARM HDP can only be administered by qualified staff with specific training in the safe use and handling of radiopharmaceuticals.
The amount of RADPHARM HDP that will be administered will be determined by the nuclear medicine specialist based on a number of various factors such as your weight etc.
RADPHARM HDP is injected into a vein in your arm. You may feel a pin prick from the needle when it is injected.
After receiving RADPHARM HDP Injection
It takes between 1-4 hours for RADPHARM HDP to be able to produce a clear picture of your bones. The scan is painless and may take up to an hour.
Do not take any other medicines during this time unless advised by your doctor.
Returning home
Continue your day-to-day activities as you would normally.
To minimise the radiation dose to the bladder, drink plenty of fluids and pass urine frequently to help flush RADPHARM HDP from your body.
Side Effects
Side effects from RADPHARM HDP are very rare however some patients may experience the following:
- Skin irritation e.g. rash, hives or redness
- Vomiting/nausea
- Faintness
Injection site inflammation.
These side effects, if experienced, are usually very mild.
Tell your doctor, nuclear medicine specialist or technologist if you do not feel well after having a RADPHARM HDP injection.
Storage of RADPHARM HDP
RADPHARM HDP is stored by the hospital or clinic. Technetium-99m is produced fresh everyday.
Your nuclear medicine specialist or technologist will check the expiry date and time before administering the RADPHARM HDP injection.
Product Description
What it looks like
RADPHARM HDP is a sterile, freeze-dried white powder. It comes in a 10mL glass vial. Technetium-99m is added to the vial to produce a clear colourless liquid for injection.
Ingredients
Active ingredients:
- 3.15mg sodium oxidronate
Inactive ingredients:
- 0.297 annous chloride dihydrate
- 0.84 gentisic acid
- 29mg sodium chloride
Australian Register Number
- AUST R 160732
Sponsor / Manufacturer
Radpharm Scientific
a Division of Global Medical Solutions Australia P/L
53-59 Oatley Court
Belconnen ACT 2617
Australia
For Further Information
For more information on nuclear medicine, request a copy of the booklet Nuclear Medicine – Answering Your Questions. This booklet is available from the hospital, clinic or supplier.
This Consumer Medicine Information leaflet was last prepared August 2011.
Published by MIMS October 2015