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Drug Forms:
• Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection (below)
• Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA inhalation

Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection

What is Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA injection?

PENTETATE CALCIUM TRISODIUM (Ca-DTPA) is used to remove certain radioactive materials from the body after a radiation exposure. Ca-DTPA will speed up the removal of plutonium, americium and curium from the body, but it may not prevent all the problems associated with radiation exposure. Generic injections are not available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• low blood levels of zinc, manganese or magnesium
• an unusual reaction to Ca-DTPA, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Ca-DTPA injection is for slow infusion into a vein. A health care professional will give this medication to you.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

Follow your prescriber's advice regarding the need for continued doses once you have received the first dose. Make sure you keep appointments for further doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA?

• no drug interactions have been reported

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA?

Ca-DTPA should be given only under the supervision of a physician after assessing your medical condition. It is only effective to treat contamination with radioactive plutonium, americium and curium. This drug does not help eliminate other forms of radiation from the body.

How long you will need treatment depends on the amount of contamination you were exposed to. You will have regular check-ups to determine the level of radiation in your body. The amount of radiation in your body will determine how long you have to take Ca-DTPA.

Drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently to help radiation removal from the body.

You will be given instructions to reduce the chance of exposing others to radiation. For example, some radiation gets into the urine and stool. A toilet should be used instead of a urinal, and it should be flushed several times after each use. Spilled urine or stool should be cleaned up completely. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. If body fluids soil clothing, wash the clothes separately. Dispose of any expectorant (fluid you cough up) carefully.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Pentetate Calcium Trisodium, Ca-DTPA?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing
• fast or uneven heart beat, palpitations or chest pain
• muscle pain or weakness, cramps
• skin rash or hives

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• metallic taste

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will not be given the injection to store at home.

Last updated: 8/20/2004 4:34:00 PM

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.