IOBENGUANE,RADIOIODINATED (Therapeutic)*?

A commonly used name for iobenguane is meta-iodobenzylguanidine or mIBG.

*? Not commercially available in the U.S. and Canada.

Category

• Antineoplastic

Description

Radioiodinated iobenguane (eye-oh-BEN-gwane) is a radiopharmaceutical (ray-dee-oh-far-ma-SOO-ti-kal).Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, which may be used to find andtreat certain diseases or to study the function of the body's organs.

Radioiodinated iobenguane is used to treat certain kinds of cancer of theadrenal glands.

When very small doses of radioiodinated iobenguane are given, the radioactivitytaken up by the adrenal gland helps find tumors of the adrenal glands. Animage of the gland on film or on a computer screen can be provided to helpwith the diagnosis.

The information that follows applies only to the useof radioiodinated iobenguane in treating cancer of the adrenal gland.

Radioiodinated iobenguane is to be given only by or under the direct supervisionof a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine. Radioiodinatediobenguane is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For radioiodinated iobenguane,the following should be considered:

Pregnancy?This radiopharmaceutical is not recommended for useduring pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to harmful levels ofradiation.

Breast-feeding?Some radiopharmaceuticals pass into the breastmilk and may expose the baby to radiation. If you must receive radioiodinatediobenguane, it may be necessary for you to stop breast-feeding after receivingit. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Children and adolescents?Children and adolescents are especially sensitive to the effects of radiation.This may increase the chance of side effects during and after treatment. Besure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Older adults?Radioiodinated iobenguane has been used in olderpeople and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problemsin older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving radioiodinated iobenguane, it is especially important that your doctor knowsif you are taking any of the following:

• Amphetamines or
• Appetite suppressants (diet pills) or
• Calcium channel blocking agents (diltiazem [e.g., Cardizem], nicardipine[e.g., Cardene], nifedipine [e.g., Procardia], verapamil [e.g., Calan]) or
• Cocaine or
• Guanethidine (e.g., Ismelin) or
• Haloperidol (e.g., Haldol) or
• Labetalol (e.g., Normodyne) or
• Loxapine (e.g., Loxitane) or
• Medicines for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies(including nose drops or sprays) or
• Phenothiazines (acetophenazine [e.g., Tindal], chlorpromazine [e.g.,Thorazine], fluphenazine [e.g., Prolixin], mesoridazine [e.g., Serentil],perphenazine [e.g., Trilafon], prochlorperazine [e.g., Compazine], promazine[e.g., Sparine], promethazine [e.g., Phenergan], thioridazine [e.g., Mellaril],trifluoperazine [e.g., Stelazine], triflupromazine [e.g., Vesprin], trimeprazine[e.g., Temaril]) or
• Reserpine (e.g., Serpasil) or
• Thiothixene (e.g., Navane) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine[e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane],doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g.,Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])?Thesemedicines may keep the affected organ or tissue from getting the amount ofradioiodinated iobenguane it needs to fight the disease

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of radioiodinated iobenguane. Make sure you tellyour doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Preparation for This Treatment

Your doctor may have special instructions for you in preparation for yourtreatment. If you have not received such instructions or you do not understandthem, check with your doctor in advance.

This radiopharmaceutical contains radioactive iodine, which may be takenup in your thyroid. To protect your thyroid, your doctor will prescribe amedicine (e.g., potassium iodide or SSKI) that contains non-radioactive iodine.You must take this medicine before starting treatment with radioiodinatediobenguane and continue taking it after treatment for as long as your doctortells you.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Alongwith its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Althoughnot all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medicalattention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible ifany of the following side effects occur after treatment for tumors of theadrenal gland:

Rare

Pale skin; sore throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusualtiredness or weakness

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:

Less common or rare

Flushing of skin; nausea; slight and temporary increase in blood pressure

Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.