Quadramet

Generic Name: samarium sm 153 lexidronam (Intravenous route)

sa-MAR-ee-um Sm 153 lex-ID-roe-nam

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Quadramet

Available Dosage Forms:

• Injectable


• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Radiopharmaceutical, Antineoplastic

Uses For Quadramet

Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents that may be used to diagnose some diseases by studying the function of the body's organs or to treat certain diseases.

Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is used to help relieve the bone pain that may occur with certain kinds of cancer. The radioactive samarium is taken up in the bone cancer area and gives off radiation that helps provide relief of pain.

Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine or radiation oncology.

Before Using Quadramet

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 this medicine, 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.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam 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.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	D	Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.

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.

Interactions with 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.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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 samarium Sm 153 lexidronam. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Proper Use of Quadramet

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

This radiopharmaceutical may accumulate in your bladder. Therefore, to increase the flow of urine and lessen the amount of radiation to your bladder your doctor may instruct you to drink plenty of liquids before receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam and urinate often afterwards.

If you have a problem controlling your bladder, tell your doctor before receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam. Special precautions will need to be taken to prevent radiation contamination of clothing, bed linens, and the environment.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Precautions While Using Quadramet

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. You may need to have blood tests done regularly.

Follow these guidelines for 12 hours after receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam, to help reduce the chance of contaminating other persons or the environment with radiation:

• Use a normal toilet, if available, instead of a urinal.


• Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is passed mainly in the urine. To prevent contamination of your home environment, flush the toilet twice after using.


• Wipe any spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.


• Wash your hands after using or cleaning the toilet.


• Wash your clothes and bed linens immediately, if they become soiled with your urine or blood. Wash them separately from other clothes.


• If you cut yourself, wash away any spilled blood.

Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If your blood count becomes abnormally low, there are certain precautions you can take to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding, such as:

• With abnormally low white blood cell counts:
  
  • If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
  
  
  • Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
  
  
  • Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
  
  


• With abnormally low platelet blood counts:
  
  • Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
  
  
  • Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
  
  
  • Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
  
  

Quadramet Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Blood problems, such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells or platelets, may occur in some patients using samarium Sm 153 lexidronam.

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

More common

• Black, tarry stools


• blood in urine or stools


• cough or hoarseness


• fever or chills


• lower back or side pain


• painful or difficult urination


• pinpoint red spots on skin


• unusual bleeding or bruising

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Irregular heartbeat

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:

Less common

• Increase in bone pain (transient)


• nausea and vomiting

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.

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More Quadramet resources

• Quadramet Drug Interactions
• Quadramet Support Group
• 0 Reviews · Be the first to review/rate this drug

• Quadramet Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Samarium SM 153 Lexidronam Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)