The Ceretec kit is supplied as a pack of 5 vials for use in the preparation of a technetium Tc99m exametazime intravenous injection as a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical for use as an adjunct in the detection of altered regional cerebral perfusion and for the radiolabeling of autologous leukocytes. Each vial of Ceretec contains a pre-dispensed sterile, non-pyrogenic, lyophilized mixture of 0.5 mg exametazime [(RR,SS)-4.8-diaza-3,6,6,9-tetramethylundecane-2, 10-dione bisoxime], 7.6 mg stannous chloride dihydrate (minimum stannous tin 0.6 mg; maximum total stannous and stannic tin 4.0 mg per vial) and 4.5 mg sodium chloride, sealed under nitrogen atmosphere with a rubber closure. The product contains no antimicrobial preservative.

Prior to publication of the USAN, exametazime was formerly known as hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HM-PAO). The name HM-PAO appears in many publications.

The structural formula of exametazime is:

When sterile pyrogen-free sodium pertechnetate Tc99m in isotonic saline is added to the vial of Ceretec, a Tc99m complex of exametazime is formed.

Administration is by intravenous injection for diagnostic use.

Physical Characteristics

Technetium Tc99m decays by isomeric transition with a physical half-life of 6.03 hours.⁽¹⁾ Photons that are useful for imaging studies are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Principal Radiation Emission Data-technetium Tc99m

⁽¹⁾Dillman, L.T. and Von der Lage, F.C. Radionuclide decay schemes and nuclear parameters for use in radiation-dose estimation. MIRD Phamphlet No. 10, p. 62, 1975.

External Radiation

The specific gamma ray constant for technetium Tc99m is 206 microCoulomb kg^-1/37 MBq-h, (0.8 R/millicurie-h) at 1 cm. The first half-value thickness of lead (Pb) for technetium Tc99m is 0.2 mm. A range of values for the relative attenuation of the radiation emitted by this radionuclide that results from interposition of various thicknesses of Pb is shown in Table 2. For example, the use of a 2.7 mm thickness of Pb will decrease the external radiation exposure by a factor of 1,000.

Table 2. Radiation Attenuation by Lead Shielding

To correct for physical decay of this radionuclide, the fractions that remain at selected intervals relative to the time of calibration are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Physical Decay Chart: Tc99m half-life 6.03 hours

*Calibration time (time of preparation)

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