Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Technegas

Descriptions


Inhaled technetium Tc 99m carbon is used to help your doctor see an image of your lungs to help evaluate lung problems in children and adults. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, which may be used to find and treat certain diseases or to study the function of the body's organs.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Aerosol Powder

Before Using

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results. For this test, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of inhaled technetium Tc 99m carbon in children younger than 6 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of inhaled technetium Tc 99m carbon in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma)—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper Use

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. You will inhale the medicine through a mouthpiece placed in your mouth before you have a lung scan.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child closely while receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to use it.

This medicine may cause transient hypoxia (low oxygen in the body). Check with your doctor right away if you have bluish lips, confusion, dizziness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, or weakness.

You will be exposed to radiation when you are given this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

This medicine may cause lung or breathing problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, wheezing, or trouble breathing.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

  1. Confusion
  2. dizziness
  3. fast heartbeat
  4. trouble breathing
  5. weakness

Rare

  1. Body aches or pain
  2. chills
  3. cough
  4. ear congestion
  5. fever
  6. headache
  7. loss of voice
  8. sneezing
  9. sore throat
  10. stuffy or runny nose
  11. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

  1. Chest tightness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

  1. Change in taste
  2. loss of taste
  3. throat irritation

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/technetium-tc-99m-carbon-inhalation-route/description/drg-20558057