Radium or radium Ra 223 dichloride is a cure for treatprostate cancer that has metastasized or spread to the bone and cannot be treated with surgery or other treatment methods.
Radium is a radioactive substance in the form of a metal. Radium has been developed into a radioactive drug under the name radium Ra 223 dichloride. This drug is only available in injectable form.
Injectable radium has an antitumor effect that works by destroying cancer cells in the bone. That way, fractures, fractures, or other bone disorders can be prevented.
Radium trademark: -
What is Radium
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Radioactive substances |
| Benefit | Treating prostate cancer that has spread to the bones |
| Used by | Mature |
| Radium for pregnant and lactating women | Category X: Studies in experimental animals and humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities or a risk to the fetus. Drugs in this category should not be used by women who are or may become pregnant. It is not known whether radium can be absorbed into breast milk or not. Breastfeeding mothers should not use this medicine. |
| Shape | Inject |
Precautions Before Using Radium
Injectable radium will be administered in a hospital by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor. Some things to note before using this drug are:
- Do not use injectable radium if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Do not use injectable radium with the prostate cancer drugs abiraterone and prednisolone, as they can increase the risk of fractures.
- Radium can be harmful to the fetus, if you or your partner are taking this medicine for up to 6 months after therapy, always use an effective contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
- Radium should not be used by women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Do not use injectable radium if you are undergoing chemotherapy, because it can cause a decrease in your blood cell count (myelosuppression).
- Tell your doctor if you have a bone marrow disorder, low white blood cell count (leukopenia), thrombocytopenia, impaired kidney function, or liver disease.
- Follow the control schedule given by your doctor while you are undergoing treatment with injectable radium.
- Avoid using shared toilets while on treatment with injectable radium to prevent other people from being exposed to radium from touching urine, feces, or other body fluids.
- Avoid being close to people with infectious diseases that are easily transmitted while undergoing treatment with injectable radium, because this drug can make it easier for you to catch infectious diseases.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor that you are being treated with injectable radium if you plan to have dental work or surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you experience an allergic drug reaction, a more serious side effect, or an overdose after using radium injection.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Radium
The doctor will determine the dose of injectable radium based on the patient's weight. The dose may be changed if the patient gains or loses weight.
The dose of radium for the treatment of prostate cancer that has spread to the bones is 55 kilobecquerel per kilogram of body weight (kBq/kgBW). This drug is given by injection into a vein (intravenous / IV) every 4 weeks, for 6 injections.
How to Use Radium Correctly
Injectable radium will be given in the hospital. This medicine will be injected directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
The doctor will inject the drug radium into the patient's vein. Do not stop taking medication without consulting your doctor first.
After the radium is injected, bodily fluids, such as urine, feces, or vomit will contain this radioactive material. As much as possible use a separate toilet with other patients or other family members.
If you need to clean feces from a patient or family member who has recently been treated with radium, use adequate personal protective equipment, including a mask, protective gown, and gloves.
Consume large amounts of fluids while on treatment with injectable radium to prevent dehydration.
Interactions of Radium with Other Drugs
Injectable radium should not be used together with the prostate cancer drugs abiraterone and prednisolone, because they can increase the risk of fractures. In addition, if used together with chemotherapy drugs, injectable radium has the risk of causing a decrease in the number of blood cells.
Always tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including if you are taking certain other medications, herbal products, or supplements.
Radium Side Effects and Hazards
Some side effects that may appear after using radium Ra 223 are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, pain and irritation at the injection site. Tell your doctor if the above side effects don't go away or get worse.
See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Dizzy and feel like passing out
- Easy bruising, nosebleeds, or abnormal bleeding
- Black or bloody stools
- Dehydration
- Unreasonable fatigue
- Anemia
- Fever, chills, or other symptoms of an infectious disease
- Pain when urinating and blood in the urine
- Swelling in the arms, legs and feet
- Hard to breathe
