Drugs & Vitamins

Ca-DTPA injection Active Ingredients: Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection Representative Names: Ca-DTPA injection What is Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should this medicine be used? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? What side effects may I notice from receiving Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? What should I watch for while taking Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? Where can I keep my medicine? What is Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection? (Back to top) PENTETATE CALCIUM TRISODIUM (Ca-DTPA) is used to remove certain radioactive materials from the body after a radiation exposure. Ca-DTPA will speed up the removal of plutonium, americium and curium from the body, but it may not prevent all the problems associated with radiation exposure. Generic injections are not available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •low blood levels of zinc, manganese or magnesium •an unusual reaction to Ca-DTPA, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should this medicine be used? (Back to top) Ca-DTPA injection is for slow infusion into a vein. A health care professional will give this medication to you. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) Follow your prescriber's advice regarding the need for continued doses once you have received the first dose. Make sure you keep appointments for further doses. What drug(s) may interact with Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? (Back to top) •no drug interactions have been reported Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from receiving Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing •fast or uneven heart beat, palpitations or chest pain •muscle pain or weakness, cramps •skin rash or hives Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •diarrhea •dizziness •headache •nausea or vomiting •metallic taste What should I watch for while taking Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA? (Back to top) Ca-DTPA should be given only under the supervision of a physician after assessing your medical condition. It is only effective to treat contamination with radioactive plutonium, americium and curium. This drug does not help eliminate other forms of radiation from the body. How long you will need treatment depends on the amount of contamination you were exposed to. You will have regular check-ups to determine the level of radiation in your body. The amount of radiation in your body will determine how long you have to take Ca-DTPA. Drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently to help radiation removal from the body. You will be given instructions to reduce the chance of exposing others to radiation. For example, some radiation gets into the urine and stool. A toilet should be used instead of a urinal, and it should be flushed several times after each use. Spilled urine or stool should be cleaned up completely. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. If body fluids soil clothing, wash the clothes separately. Dispose of any expectorant (fluid you cough up) carefully. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) This does not apply. You will not be given the injection to store at home. Last Updated:09/30/2004 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.