Fluorodopa f 18 (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 13, 2022.

Uses for fluorodopa f 18

Fluorodopa F 18 injection is used in adults to help diagnose Parkinsonian syndromes and other cognitive (mental) problems. It is used in a procedure called positron emission tomography (PET) scan to help your doctor see an image of your brain.

Fluorodopa F 18 is a radiopharmaceutical. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, which may be used to find and treat certain diseases or to study the function of the body's organs.

Fluorodopa f 18 is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.

Before using fluorodopa f 18

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results. For this test, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluorodopa 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 have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of fluorodopa F 18 injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of fluorodopa 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.

Proper use of fluorodopa f 18

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you fluorodopa f 18. Fluorodopa f 18 is given through a needle placed in one of your veins just before you have a PET scan.

Your doctor may want you to take carbidopa at least 1 hour before receiving fluorodopa f 18. You may need to stop taking any medicines for Parkinson's disease at least 12 hours before receiving fluorodopa f 18.

Drink enough water to be hydrated before the PET scan.

You will need to urinate right away and as often as possible for 12 hours after the PET scan.

Precautions while using fluorodopa f 18

It is very...