Iobenguane, Radioiodinated (Therapeutic)

Brand Names : meta-iodobenzylguanidine, mIBG

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. 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 use during pregnancy. This is to avoid exposing the fetus to harmful levels of radiation.

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

Older adults - Radioiodinated iobenguane 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 these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving radioiodinated iobenguane, it is especially important that your doctor knows if 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]) - These medicines may keep the affected organ or tissue from getting the amount of radioiodinated iobenguane it needs to fight the disease

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of radioiodinated iobenguane. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Preparation for This Treatment

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

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