Fludeoxyglucose f 18 (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Gludef
• Metatrace FDG

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Diagnostic Agent, Radiopharmaceutical Imaging

Uses for fludeoxyglucose f 18

Fludeoxyglucose F 18 injection is used to help diagnose cancer, heart disease, and epilepsy. It is used in a procedure called a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to help your doctor see parts of the body, such as the heart or brain. Fludeoxyglucose F 18 belongs to the group of medicines called radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive agents).

Fludeoxyglucose f 18 will be used only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using fludeoxyglucose f 18

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 fludeoxyglucose f 18, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fludeoxyglucose f 18 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

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fludeoxyglucose F 18 injection in children with epilepsy. However, safety and efficacy of fludeoxyglucose F 18 injection have not been established in children with cancer or heart disease.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of fludeoxyglucose F 18 injection in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

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 fludeoxyglucose f 18. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes, poorly controlled—May affect the results of the PET scan.

Proper use of fludeoxyglucose f 18

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child fludeoxyglucose f 18. Fludeoxyglucose f 18 is given through a needle placed in o...