Pentetate

Generic name: pentetate calcium trisodium (systemic)
Drug class:Antidotes

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 9, 2022.

Some commonly used brand names are: In the U.S. - Pentetate Calcium Trisodium
Other commonly used names are: - Ca-DTPA

Category

• Chelating agent

Description

Pentetate Calcium Trisodium (PEN-te-tate Kal-see-um try-SOE-dee-um)is used to remove harmful substances, such as plutonium, americium, or curium from your body.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

• Inhalation
  Inhalation solution (U.S.)

• Parenteral
  Injection (U.S.)

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 pentetate calcium trisodium, the following should be considered:

Allergies? Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pentetate calcium trisodium. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy? Pentetate calcium trisodium has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that pentetate calcium trisodium causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding? It is not known if pentetate calcium trisodium passes into breast milk. However, women with known exposure to harmful substances should not breast feed, whether or not they are receiving pentetate calcium trisodium.

Children? Although there is no specific information comparing use of pentetate calcium trisodium in children with use in other age groups, this medicine when given by injection is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults? Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of pentetate calcium trisodium in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medical problems? The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pentetate calcium trisodium. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma? May be worsened by pentetate calcium trisodium given by inhalation.
• Hemochromatosis (iron disorder)? May increase the chance for serious side effects.
• Kidney disease? May lower the rate at which the harmful substances can be removed. Dialysis may be needed to increase removal of these harmful substances.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Harmful substances may accumulate in your bladder. Therefore, to increase the flow of urine and decrease the time your bladder contains these harmful substances, your doctor may instruct you to drink plenty of liquids and urinate often while being treated with pentetate calcium trisodium to help eliminate the harmful substances.

Dosing? The dose of pentetate