Radioactive drug
Radioactive drug is a type of radiopharmaceutical used in the field of nuclear medicine. These drugs contain radioactive isotopes and are used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Overview[edit | edit source]
A radioactive drug, also known as a radiopharmaceutical, is a medication that contains radioactive substances. These drugs are used in the field of nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases. The radioactive isotopes in these drugs emit gamma rays that can be detected by special types of cameras to create images of the inside of the body. This allows doctors to see how the body is functioning and to detect any abnormalities.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Radioactive drugs are used in a variety of medical procedures. They are most commonly used in diagnostic imaging procedures, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans. These scans allow doctors to see how the body is functioning and to detect any abnormalities.
In addition to diagnostic imaging, radioactive drugs are also used in radiation therapy to treat certain types of cancer. The radioactive isotopes in these drugs target and kill cancer cells, while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
Safety and Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Like all medications, radioactive drugs can have side effects. These can include allergic reactions, changes in blood counts, and changes in kidney function. However, the risk of these side effects is generally low, and the benefits of using radioactive drugs often outweigh the risks.
Despite the use of radioactive substances, radioactive drugs are generally safe to use. The amount of radiation exposure from these drugs is typically low and is carefully controlled to minimize risk. In addition, the radioactive isotopes in these drugs decay quickly, so they do not stay in the body for long.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
