Gallium Ga 68 dotatoc injection is used with a PET scan (positron emission tomography) for localization of somatostatin receptor positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Gallium Ga 68 dotatoc 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.
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: 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. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gallium Ga 68 dotatoc injection in children. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gallium Ga 68 dotatoc injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have heart, kidney, or liver problems, which may require caution in patients receiving gallium Ga 68 dotatoc injection. 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. 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 this diagnostic test, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Receiving this diagnostic test with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. 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.
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 just before you have a PET scan. Drink enough water to be hydrated before the PET scan. You will need to urinate right away and as often as possible for at least 1 hour after the PET scan.
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