Sodium Fluoride (Sup18/Supf)

What it is and how it works

Fluoride (18F) ions are rapidly taken up by bone, exchanging with hydroxyl groups in hydroxyapatite to form fluoroapatite; uptake reflects regional blood flow and osteoblastic activity. PET imaging therefore shows areas of altered osteogenic activity.

Indications

PET bone imaging to define areas of altered osteogenic activity, particularly detection of skeletal metastases in malignancy, and evaluation of other benign bone disorders.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Dosing is individualised according to the imaging protocol and administered by nuclear medicine specialists as a single intravenous injection, with imaging usually starting about 30–60 minutes later.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.

Warnings and precautions

Uptake is not specific for malignancy and also occurs in fractures, degenerative and inflammatory bone disease, so findings should be correlated with other imaging and clinical data. Patients should be well hydrated and void frequently to reduce radiation dose to the bladder.

Pregnancy

Generally avoided in pregnancy unless essential, because of fetal radiation exposure.

Storage and supply

Store at room temperature in appropriate radiation shielding and use within the short shelf-life stated on the label.

Source: reference summary prepared from the EU SmPC/EPAR, BNF and WHO Model Formulary. The approved product information in Iran governs.