Samarium Sm 153 Lexidronam (Therapeutic)

Brand Names : Quadramet

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of receiving the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For samarium Sm 153 lexidronam, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bone tumor-seeking medicines, like samarium Sm 153 lexidronam, or bone-imaging radiopharmaceuticals. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in either humans or animals. However, to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation, samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding - Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or if you intend to breast-feed during treatment with this medicine. Because samarium Sm 153 lexidronam may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving this medicine.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam has been used in older people and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - 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 other cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam, it is especially important that your doctor know the following:

• If you have ever received radiation therapy or anticancer medicines - Anticancer medicines or radiation therapy may increase the harmful effects of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam on the bone marrow
• Etidronate (e.g., Didronel) - This medicine may prevent samarium Sm 153 lexidronam from working properly

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.