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.

This radiopharmaceutical may accumulate in your bladder. Therefore, to increase the flow of urine and lessen the amount of radiation to your bladder your doctor may instruct you to drink plenty of liquids before receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam and urinate often afterwards.

If you have a problem controlling your bladder, tell your doctor before receiving samarium Sm 153 lexidronam. Special precautions will need to be taken to prevent radiation contamination of clothing, bed linens, and the environment.

Dosing—The doses of radiopharmaceuticals will be different for different patients and for the different types of treatment. The amount of radioactivity of a radiopharmaceutical is expressed in units called becquerels or curies. The usual adult dose of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is 37 megabecquerels (1 millicurie) per kg (16.8 megabecquerels [0.45 millicurie] per pound) of body weight. The dose you receive depends on your body size. The amount of radiation received from this medicine by specific areas of the body to treat a disease is many times higher than that from any diagnostic test, such as x-rays and nuclear medicine scans. Repeated doses may be necessary, depending on the kind of disease you have and how your body is responding to treatment.