What is Radium Ra223 dichloride?
Radium Ra-223 dichloride can be used to treat cancerous prostates that have spread to bones and cannot be treated by surgery.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Radium Ra-223, Dichloride.
Side effects of Radium Ra 223 dichloride
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Radium Ra 223 dichloride may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or purple or red patches under the skin
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- dehydration symptoms—feeling thirsty, hot, or unable to urinate. heavy sweating or hot and dried skin.
- Kidney problems: little or no urine, swelling of the feet or ankles, and feeling tired or breathless;
- Low red blood cells (anemia)--pale or pale skin, unusual fatigue, feeling lightheaded or short-of-breath, cold hands or feet;
- Low white blood cell count: fever; mouth sores or skin sores; sore neck; cough.
Some of the common side effects associated with radium Ra223 dichloride include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- Low blood cell count;
- Swelling in the hands or feet
There may be other side effects. For medical advice about side effects, call your physician directly. Alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report adverse events.
Warnings
Radium Ra 223 dichloride increases your risk of bleeding and infection. You will require frequent medical testing.
Before you take this drug
Radium Ra 223 dichloride may harm an unborn child or cause birth defects. If you have a baby while taking this medicine, Use a condom while receiving this medication and for 6 months following the end of treatment.While you are taking this medication and for 6 months following your last dose, it is important that both of you use an effective contraceptive. If you become pregnant during this period, tell your doctor immediately.This medicine can affect your fertility (the ability to have children). It is still important to use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as radium Ra-223 dichloride may harm an unborn child.
How to take Radium Ra223 dichloride?
Radium Ra-223 dichloride can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Radium Ra-223 dichloride injections are usually administered once every four weeks, for a total of six injections. Your doctor will decide how long you should be treated with radium (Ra 223) and dichloride.Radium Ra 223 dichloride can reduce your blood count. You will have to test your blood often. The results may delay your cancer treatment.Your body fluids will be radioactive after you have been treated with radium (Ra 223) dichloride. This includes urine, stools, and vomit. Sit on the toilet and use a toilet instead of a urinal. After using the toilet, flush it several times while keeping the lid down.Wash your hands immediately after using the toilet. Wear latex gloves when cleaning up your stools and urine.
Use only disposable cloths to clean bodily fluid spills. These can be flushed into the toilet. Ask your doctor or the health department for advice on how to properly dispose of bodily fluids that can't be flushed.Separately wash any dirty clothing from other laundry in your house.The dose of Radium Ra223 Dichloride is based on your weight. Your dosage requirements could change if you gain or lose weight.To keep your kidneys functioning properly, drink plenty of water every day.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for prostate cancer:
Every 4 weeks, 50 kilo becquerels (kBq) per kg of body weight, or 1.35 microcurie/kg
Duration of treatment: 6 doses
Comment: Please refer to the manufacturer's product information sheet for detailed dosing instructions, including a table of decay correction factors and the calculation of the correct dosage volume.
Use: treatment of castration-resistant prostate carcinoma, symptomatic bone metastases, and no known visceral cancer metastatic disease.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your appointment for radium Ra 223, dichloride, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdoses are unlikely because radium Ra 223 dichloride is administered by healthcare professionals in a medical environment.
What should be avoided?
This medicine contains radioactivity that can be passed into bodily fluids such as urine, feces, and vomit. Avoid letting your body fluids come into contact with surfaces or your hands for at least seven days following the dose. While cleaning up body fluids from a patient, handling contaminated garbage or laundry, or changing diapers, caregivers should wear disposable medical gowns and rubber gloves. Prior and following glove removal, hands should be thoroughly washed with soapy water to avoid contamination of skin by dirt and germs.Separately, wash soiled linens and clothing.
Interaction with other drug
If you take abiraterone, a medicine used to treat prostate cancer (Yonsa or Zytiga), in combination with either prednisone or prednisolone and are being treated with radium Ra 223, you may be at an increased risk for bone fractures or even death.Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also affect radium (Ra 223) and dichloride. Inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking as well as those you intend to start or stop taking in order to ensure a safe transition.
