DaTSCAN™
As of July 2003, DaTSCAN™ is available
in all EU countries, Norway, Switzerland, and Czech Republic.
This section provides a summary
of the drug information for DaTSCAN™. It is still
important that you read the full package leaflet carefully
before you start taking any medication. If you have any
further questions about DaTSCAN™ (Ioflupane, 123I
FP-CIT, or other aspects of your PD treatment, you should
discuss these with your doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Availability - Formulation
DaTSCAN™ is presented as a vial containing a solution
for intravenous administration. DaTSCAN™ contains
Ioflupane labelled with radioactive iodide in an ethanolic
solution. |
Indications: When to use DaTSCAN™
DaTSCAN™ is a medicinal product for diagnostic use
only.
DaTSCAN™ is a radiopharmaceutical used in Nuclear
Medicine and Radiology Departments for the differential
diagnosis of Parkinsonian Syndromes versus Essential tremor.
A diagnostic radiopharmaceutical is a product which, when
injected, temporarily collects in a specific organ or
area of the body. Because it contains a small amount of
radioactivity it can be detected from outside the body
using special cameras and a picture, known as a scan,
can be taken. This scan will show the distribution of
the radiopharmaceutical within the organ and the body.
This gives the doctor valuable information about the function
and structure of that organ. DaTSCAN™ binds to the
dopamine transporters (DAT), on the neurons in specific
areas of the brain. When neuronal degeneration is present,
the number of DAT are significantly reduced (for example
in patients with Parkinson's disease). By detecting the
binding of DaTSCAN™ to the dopamine transporters
your physician will have a clear visualisation of dopamine
transporter integrity and consequently an accurate diagnosis
of disease. |
The differentiation between a normal and abnormal distribution
is primarily based on shape which reflects differences
of uptake intensity |
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Normal Case
In normal cases a transverse slice through the striatum
shows a "crescent" or "comma" shaped putamen on each side
and a circular "full stop" shaped caudate anteriorly.
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Parkinson's Disease
Loss of uptake in the putamen/ "comma " is regarded as
abnormal. Uptake in the caudate/ "full stop" is initially
preserved leaving just a circular image. |
How to take DaTSCAN™ (Ioflupane, 123-I FP-CIT)
DaTSCAN™ is a drug used as part of a diagnostic
procedure called SPECT imaging.
DaTSCAN™ is administered to the patients via slow
intravenous injection and a SPECT image is performed 3-6
hours after the injection. After its administration to
the patient, the concentration of radiopharmaceutical
is measured using a kind of scanner called a gamma-camera.
SPECT imaging with DaTSCAN™ therefore produces images
of the brain structures that are involved in the pathophysiology
of parkinsonian syndromes. The procedure usually takes
between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the type of gamma
camera used. You will not need to remove your clothing,
and it is advisable to wear something comfortable.
Before the administration of DaTSCAN™ you will not
need to stop your current medication except in a minority
of cases. The usual antiparkinsonian or essential tremor
treatments do not need to be stopped, however amphetamine
derivatives, some drugs used to stop smoking and some
antidepressants should be ceased 7 days before DaTSCAN™
SPECT imaging. Tell your doctor about your current treatment
and he/she will advise you if you need to take any precaution.
Before you receive DaTSCAN™, your doctor will ask
you to take some iodine-rich tablets or liquid, which
will prevent the accumulation of radioactivity in your
thyroid gland. It is important that you follow your doctor's
instructions carefully.
Image of a patient on a typical gammacamera.
The imaging "heads" (there are two on this camera)
do not touch the patient when the SPECT scan is taken
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When DaTSCAN™ (Ioflupane, 123-I FP-CIT)
should not be used
DaTSCAN™ is contraindicated in pregnancy and in
patients with hypersensitivity to iodide or to any of
the excipients. DaTSCAN™ is not recommended in patients
with moderate to severe renal of hepatic impairment. The
use in children or adolescent is not recommended either
since there is not enough clinical experience.
It is not known whether ioflupane is secreted in human
milk, therefore if administration is considered necessary,
formula feeding should be substituted for breast-feeding. |
Possible undesirable effects of DaTSCAN™ (Ioflupane,
123-I FP-CIT)
No serious adverse effects have been reported DaTSCAN™
is usually well tolerated with rare side effects including
headache, vertigo or increased appetite.
The amount of radioactivity in the body as a result of
the injection of DaTSCAN™ is very small and will
be passed out of the body in a few days without the need
for special precautions. Although this exposure is less
than in some types of X-ray investigation, your doctor
will always consider the possible risks and benefits.
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Useful links and references
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