Ferric Hexacyanoferrate, Oral FER-ik heks-a-SY-an-oh-feh-rate

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidote

Generic and brand names: ferric hexacyanoferrate, oral; Prussian blue; Radiogardase

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat contamination with thallium or radioactive cesium.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• constipation, diarrhea, or other problems with bowel movements
• hypokalemia (too little potassium in the blood)
• intestinal blockage

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Breast-feeding is not recommended if you need to take this medicine.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine with food. If you cannot swallow the capsules whole, you may open the capsule and mix the medicine with bland foods or dissolve it in a liquid. This may discolor your mouth and teeth.

Ask your healthcare provider about taking a fiber laxative or eating more fiber to help this medicine work better.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you start to feel better. Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: severe stomach pain, severe constipation, severe weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you mix the medicine in food or liquid, this medicine may stain your teeth blue. Your bowel movements may also turn blue while you are taking this medicine. This is not harmful.

This medicine helps your body get rid of radioactivity. To avoid exposing others to any radioactivity in your urine or blood:

• Use a regular toilet (not a urinal) if one is available, and flush it several times after use.
• Wipe up spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet.
• Immediately wash any linen or clothing stained with urine or blood. Wash these items separately and rinse well.
• Wash away blood if you get a cut.

Wash your hands before and after changing diapers of children receiving this medicine. Avoid touching the urine or feces.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Common side effects include constipation and upset stomach.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline

This medicine may bind with other medicines and make them less effective. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the dark at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.