Pronunciation:

tek-NEE-shee-um Tc 99m al-BUE-min AG-re-gay-ted

Brand Names:

• MPI MAA
• Pulmolite
• Technescan MAA

Dosage Forms:

• Kit

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Diagnostic Agent, Radiopharmaceutical Imaging

Uses of This Medicine:

Technetium Tc 99m albumin aggregated injection is used to help your doctor see an image of your lungs to help evaluate lung problems in children and adults. It is also used to help your doctor see an image of your peritoneovenous [LeVeen] shunt.

Technetium Tc 99m albumin aggregated injection is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, which may be used to find and treat certain diseases or to study the function of the body's organs.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results. For this test, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Technetium Tc 99m albumin aggregated injection in children.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of technetium Tc 99m albumin aggregated injection in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to human serum albumin, history of or
• Pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure in the lungs), severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Blood circulation problems or
• Cor pulmonale (serious heart condition) or
• Heart problems (eg, right-to-left heart shunts)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins before you have a scan.

You will need to urinate right away after your exam and as often as you can for the first hours after you receive this medicine. Drink plenty of fluids before and after you receive this medicine so you will pass more urine. This will help flush the medicine from your body.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child closely while receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to use it.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you get the injection.

You will be exposed to radiation when you are given this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Chest pain or tightness

confusion

cough

difficulty swallowing

dizziness

faintness

fast heartbeat

fever and chills

hives, itching, skin rash

hoarseness

irritation

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

nausea

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

redness of the skin

sweating

swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet

trouble breathing or swallowing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.