We have all seen our parents, grandparents, and grandparents gradually lose their memory as they age. Sometimes they forget names and places, or they forget what they were doing. This can be normal, or it can be the beginning of a condition like Alzheimer's disease. So, doctors use special tests to find out the exact cause of these memory problems. One such test is called a PET scan. Today, we are going to talk about a special drug used in this PET scan, Florbetaben F 18.
What is Florbetaben F 18?
Simply put, Florbetaben F 18 is a radiopharmaceutical. Now, don't be scared by the word 'radioactive'. This is not something that is given as a treatment. Strictly speaking, it is something that helps in diagnosis, like a 'dye'.
Imagine that we want to see clearly what's going on inside the brain. That's when the PET scanner is used. This drug called Florbetaben F 18 is injected into a vein. Then this drug travels throughout the body and binds to certain proteins (beta-amyloid plaques) in the brain, especially those that are found in people with Alzheimer's disease. So, when you look at it with the PET scanner, the areas where this drug has bound show up beautifully.
This means that this drug can help your doctor take a picture of your brain and determine whether your memory loss is due to Alzheimer's disease or something else. This is only a diagnostic tool, not a cure .
Important things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before this test, your doctor will ask you a few questions. It is very important that you explain these things clearly and without hiding anything.
- Allergies: If you have any allergies, not just to Florbetaben, but to any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should also inform your doctor.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: You should also tell your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother, as you will need to follow special instructions regarding breastfeeding after taking this medicine.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical professional.
This medicine is usually given as a small injection into a vein. So you don't need to worry about anything. The medical staff will take good care of you throughout the entire process.
This medicine is not usually used in young children. If it is used, it requires special medical supervision.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medication, there is a possibility of minor side effects. But most people don't experience them. It's important to be aware, so let's take a look at them. You can understand these clearly from the table below.
| Type of side effect | What to do |
|---|---|
| Things to report to the doctor or nurse immediately | |
| Allergic reactions For example: skin rash, itching, swelling of the body, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. | These can be serious, so if you see any of these signs, tell your doctor or nursing staff immediately . |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported if they persist | |
| Pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given. | This usually goes away after a while, but if the pain is severe or persistent, tell the staff. |
What if you take too much medicine?
Since this medicine is given in a hospital, by trained professionals, the chance of an overdose is very low . They will give you exactly the amount you need. If there is any suspicion of such a thing, the hospital staff will take the necessary measures immediately.
Also, if there is any suspicion of poisoning by any medicine or substance, there is a special place in our country where we can seek advice. That is the National Poison Information Center located at the Colombo National Hospital . In any emergency, you can also refer to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Special advice for breastfeeding mothers
This is very important. If you are a breastfeeding mother, do not breastfeed your baby for 24 hours after taking this medicine. During that time, pump and discard the milk. You can breastfeed your baby normally again after 24 hours. This is very important for your baby's safety. If you have any further questions about this, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Florbetaben F 18 is not a cure for a disease. It is only a diagnostic tool that helps identify the cause of memory loss, especially Alzheimer's disease, through a PET scan.
- Before this test, be sure to tell the doctor about all your allergies and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- This medicine is given in a hospital setting by trained medical staff, so there is no need to be afraid.
- If you experience signs of an allergy (skin rash, itching, swelling), notify the medical staff immediately.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother, avoid breastfeeding your baby for 24 hours after taking the medicine and remove the nipple.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න