Pentetate Calcium Trisodium/Pentetate Zinc Trisodium, Injection PEN-te-tate KAL-see-um try-SOH-dee-um PEN-te-tate zink try-SOH-dee-um

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidote

Generic and brand names: pentetate calcium trisodium; pentetate zinc trisodium; Ca-DTPA; Zn-DTPA

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is inhaled or given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat contamination with radioactive plutonium, americium, or curium.

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
• asthma
• high levels of iron in the blood

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?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider.

Drink plenty of liquid and urinate often to help remove radiation from the body.

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 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.

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.
• 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, blood, or mucus (from coughing). Wash these items separately and rinse well.
• Wash away blood if you get a cut.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are receiving 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; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, coughing, wheezing.

Other: Headache, lightheadedness, fever, rash, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritation at the infusion site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

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.

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.