RADIO PHARMACEUTICALS
Radio pharmaceuticals are medicinal compounds that contain radioactive substances. The radioactive component emits radiation, while the drug component targets specific organs.
They are mainly used for diagnosis and treatment of diseases by detecting tumors, organ function, and internal abnormalities.
Ideal Characteristics of Radio pharmaceuticals:
- Short half-life
- Rapid elimination from body
- Emission of pure gamma rays
- High specific activity
- Quick localization at target site
- Safe and cost-effective
- Easy to prepare and use
Handling of Radio pharmaceuticals:
Radiopharmaceuticals must be handled carefully due to their hazardous nature.
- Avoid contamination
- Use absorbent trays
- Wear gloves
- Avoid mouth pipetting
- No eating or drinking
- Use forceps
- Use shielding devices
Storage of Radio pharmaceuticals:
- Stored in airtight containers
- Kept in shielded areas
- Follow safety regulations
- Used within short time
- Maintain purity and stability
Dispensing of Radio pharmaceuticals:
- Dispensed only to healthcare professionals
- Not directly given to patients
- Dose depends on age, weight, and condition
- Use sterile preparations
- Maintain proper records
- Follow correct administration route
- Use ready-to-use kits
Labelling of Radio pharmaceuticals:
Inner container must contain:
- Radiation symbol
- Warning label
- Patient details
- Drug name
- Radioactivity level
Outer container must contain:
- Radiation symbol
- Patient identity
- Drug details
- Quantity
- Expiry date
- Storage instructions
- Route of administration
Disposal of Radio pharmaceuticals:
- Delay (allow decay)
- Dilute and disperse
- Concentrate and contain
- Recycle and reuse
Types of Waste:
- Solid waste
- Liquid waste
- Gaseous waste
Applications of Radio pharmaceuticals:
Therapeutic Applications:
Used in treatment of diseases such as cancer.
- External sources: Cobalt-60, Cesium-137
- Internal sources: Iodine-131, Phosphorus-32
Diagnostic Applications:
Used to detect diseases using imaging techniques.
| Organ/System | Purpose | Radiopharmaceutical |
|---|---|---|
| Brain | Function & blood flow | Tc-99m |
| Thyroid | Function | I-131 |
| Heart | Blood flow | Tl-201 |
| Bone | Tumors | Tc-99m phosphate |
| Lungs | Ventilation | Xe-133 |
| Kidney | Function | Tc-99m |
Radioactive Waste:
Radioactive waste is hazardous material produced during nuclear activities.
Types of Radioactive Waste:
- High-level waste
- Intermediate-level waste
- Low-level waste
- Transuranic waste
- Mining waste
Waste Management Methods:
- Incineration
- Storage until decay
- Shallow burial
- Deep burial
- Water storage
- Recycling
Dr. Saint Paul is a pharmacy educator, Pharm.D graduate, and academic content creator from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), where he completed his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree between 2015 and 2021.
He has more than 7 years of experience creating pharmacy educational content, writing study materials, and reviewing academic articles for pharmacy students. He has also contributed guest articles to pharmacy education platforms, including PharmD Guru.
At D.PharmGuru, his work focuses on simplifying complex Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharmacy) subjects into easy-to-understand notes, practical explanations, and exam-oriented educational resources for students across India.
His areas of focus include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, and other core D.Pharmacy subjects.
