Pronunciation:

STRON-shee-um KLOR-ide Sr 89

Brand Names:

• Metastron

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Radiopharmaceutical, Antineoplastic

Uses of This Medicine:

Strontium chloride Sr 89 is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents that may be used to diagnose some diseases by studying the function of the body's organs or to treat certain diseases.

Strontium chloride Sr 89 is used to help relieve the bone pain that may occur with certain kinds of cancer. The radioactive strontium is taken up in the bone cancer area and gives off radiation that helps provide relief of pain.

Strontium chloride Sr 89 is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine or radiation oncology.

Before Using This Medicine:

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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.

Children—

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information about its use in children.

Older adults—

Strontium chloride Sr 89 has been used in older people and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast-feeding—

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.

Other 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.

Other interactions—

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 strontium chloride Sr 89. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Your doctor may have special instructions for you to follow to get ready for your treatment. If you do not understand them or if you have not received such instructions, check with your doctor in advance.

If you have a problem controlling your bladder, tell your doctor before receiving strontium chloride Sr 89. Special precautions will need to be taken to prevent contamination of clothing, bed linen, and the environment.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. You may need to have blood tests done regularly.

Follow these guidelines for 1 week after receiving strontium chloride Sr 89, to help reduce the chance of contaminating other persons or the environment:

• Use a normal toilet, if available, instead of a urinal.
• Strontium chloride Sr 89 is passed in the urine and feces. To prevent contamination of your home environment, flush the toilet twice after using.
• Wipe any spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.
• Wash your hands after using or cleaning the toilet .
• Wash your clothes and bed linens immediately if they become soiled with your urine or blood. Wash them separately from other clothes.
• If you cut yourself, wash away any spilled blood .

Strontium chloride Sr 89 can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If your blood count becomes abnormally low, there are certain precautions you can take, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding, such as:

• With abnormally low white blood cell counts:
  • If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
  • Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
  • Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• With abnormally low platelet blood counts:
  • Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
  • Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. When strontium chloride Sr 89 is used at recommended doses, side effects usually are rare. However, blood problems, such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells or platelets, may occur in some patients.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Black, tarry stools

blood in urine or stools

cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on skin

unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Flushing

increase in bone pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.