Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is used to treat certain type of tumours that formed in the pancreas or in other parts of the digestive system such as the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, or appendix, which have spread in the body and cannot be removed by surgery.
Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Other medicines may also be used before, during, or after your treatment with Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide. Your doctor will inform you about this.
Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe and other special precautionary instructions after receiving this medicine.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while using this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide therapy and for a minimum of 6 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Males who have female partners who can get pregnant must also use effective birth control methods during therapy and for 4 months or 6 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for 2 and a half months after the last dose.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- have received anticancer treatment (chemotherapy)
- have had other types of cancer within the last 5 years
- have received any radiation therapy (radionuclide)
- tumour that has spread to the brain or bones
- inability to control urination
- blood count problems
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- liver disease
Due to the radiation risk from Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide, you will be isolated from other patients who are not receiving the same therapy. Your doctor will inform you when you can leave the controlled area or the hospital. You will be given instructions on how to minimise the risk of radiation exposure to your family members and other people.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before you start the treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs or symptoms of new cancer and excessive release of hormones (neuroendocrine tumour crisis) may also be needed.
Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, hot flushes, dizziness, headache, stomach pain, indigestion, constipation, hair loss, tiredness, muscle pain and spasms, changes in taste sensation, and sleeping problems.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe redness of the skin, diarrhoea, shortness of breath
- unable to pass urine, blood in the urine, change in how much urine is passed
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
- somatostatin analogues (medicines used to regulate hormones) e.g. octreotide
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is a radiopharmaceutical, national guidelines must be followed when receiving, handling, and disposing this medicine.
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