Technetium (Sup99m/Suptc) Medronic Acid

What it is and how it works

Technetium-99m medronate is a diphosphonate complex that adsorbs onto hydroxyapatite crystals in bone, with uptake proportional to osteoblastic activity and regional blood flow. Areas of increased bone turnover appear as foci of increased uptake on scintigraphy.

Indications

Bone scintigraphy to detect areas of altered osteogenesis, e.g. skeletal metastases, occult fractures, osteomyelitis, Paget’s disease, avascular necrosis and evaluation of unexplained bone pain.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Dosing (administered activity) is individualised according to protocol by the nuclear medicine specialist, in line with diagnostic reference levels and patient weight or age; given by intravenous injection after radiolabelling of the kit with sodium pertechnetate (99mTc).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any kit component.

Warnings and precautions

Images are usually acquired 2–4 hours after injection; patients should drink plenty of fluids and void frequently to improve image quality and reduce bladder radiation dose. Radiolabelling and quality control must follow the product instructions in an authorised radiopharmacy.

Pregnancy

Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals should be avoided in pregnancy unless clearly necessary; exclude pregnancy before administration in women of childbearing potential.

Storage and supply

Store the unlabelled kit according to the manufacturer (typically below 25 °C or at 2–8 °C); after labelling, keep the preparation in lead shielding and use within the time stated in the product information.

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