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Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Label
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., revised September 13, 2024 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

What it is used for

Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is indicated: In adults, to assist in the: localization of lymph nodes draining a primary tumor in patients with breast cancer or malignant melanoma when used with a hand-held gamma counter. evaluation of peritoneo-venous (LeVeen) shunt patency. In adults and pediatric patients, for imaging: areas of functioning reticuloendothelial cells in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. studies of esophageal transit and, gastroesophageal reflux, and detection of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated (1) : In adults, to assist in the: localization of lymph nodes draining a primary tumor in patients with breast cancer or malignant melanoma when used with a hand-held gamma counter. evaluation of peritoneo-venous (LeVeen) shunt patency in adults. In adults and pediatric patients, for: imaging areas of functioning reticuloendothelial cells in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. studies of esophageal transit and gastroesophageal reflux, and detection of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents.

Forms and strengths

Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is supplied in a package that contains 5 kits. All components of a kit are sterile and non-pyrogenic. Each 10mL multi-dose Reaction Vial contains, in lyophilized form, 2 mg sodium thiosulfate anhydrous, 2.3 mg edetate disodium and 18.1 mg bovine gelatin; each Solution A vial contains 1.8 mL 0.148 N hydrochloric acid solution and each Solution B vial contains 1.8 mL aqueous solution of 24.6 mg/mL sodium biphosphate anhydrous and 7.9 mg/mL sodium hydroxide. Included in each 5-kit package are one package insert and 10 radiation labels. The Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is supplied as a package that contains 5 kits. Each kit contains three vials: one 10 mL multi-dose Reaction Vial, a Solution A vial and a Solution B vial. The vials contain the sterile non-pyrogenic, non-radioactive ingredients necessary to produce Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection ( 3 ).

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None None

Warnings and precautions

Anaphylactic reactions including rare fatalities have occurred following intravenously administered Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid. Have resuscitation equipment and personnel immediately available ( 5.1 ).

5.1 Anaphylactic Reactions Anaphylactic reactions with bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria and rare fatalities have occurred following intravenously administered Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection. Have emergency resuscitation equipment and personnel immediately available.

5.2 Radiation Risks Radiation-emitting products, including Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection, may increase the risk for cancer, especially in pediatric patients. Use the smallest dose necessary for imaging and ensure safe handling to protect the patient and health care worker. [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] .

5.3 Altered Distribution, Accumulation of Tracer in the Lungs Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is physically unstable, and the particles will settle with time or with exposure to polyvalent cations. These larger particles are likely to be trapped by the pulmonary capillary bed following intravenous injection and result in non-uniform distribution of radioactivity. Agitate the vial adequately before administration of sulfur colloid to avoid particle aggregation and non-uniform distribution of radioactivity. Discard unused drug after 6 hours from the time of formulation. [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The most frequently reported adverse reactions, across all categories of use and routes of administration, include rash, allergic reaction, urticaria, anaphylaxis/anaphylactic shock, and hypotension. Less frequently reported adverse reactions are fatal cardiopulmonary arrest, seizures, dyspnea, bronchospasm, abdominal pain, flushing, nausea, vomiting, itching, fever, chills, perspiration, numbness, and dizziness. Local injection site reactions, including burning, blanching, erythema, sclerosis, swelling, eschar, and scarring, have also been reported. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include rash, urticaria, anaphylactic shock, and hypotension. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-221-7554 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Drug interactions

Specific drug-drug interactions have not been studied.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

Lactation: Advise a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk for 24 hours and minimize close contact with infants for 6 hours after receiving a Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection ( 8.2 ).

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited available data with Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; technetium Tc 99m crosses the placenta (see Data) . Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection. All radiopharmaceuticals, including Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection, have a potential to cause fetal harm depending on the stage of fetal development and the magnitude of the radiopharmaceutical dose. If considering Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection administration to a pregnant woman, inform the patient about the potential for adverse pregnancy outcomes based on the radiation dose from the drug and the gestational timing of exposure. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Data Human Data Among 14 infants born to pregnant patients exposed to Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection for lymph node localization, no birth defects were reported following drug exposure.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Technetium Tc 99m is excreted in human milk during lactation. Exposure of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection to a breastfed infant can be minimized by temporary discontinuation of breastfeeding [see Clinical Considerations] . The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection or from the underlying maternal condition. Clinical Considerations To decrease radiation exposure to the breastfed infant, advise a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk for 24 hours after administration of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection. Following higher dose procedures [greater than 370 MBq (10 mCi)], patients should minimize close contact with infants for 6 hours after receiving a Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid kit in pediatric patients has been shown for the following indications: liver, spleen, and bone marrow imaging, and gastroesophageal and pulmonary aspiration studies.

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

How it works

Technetium Tc 99m decays by isomeric transition, emitting a photon that can be detected for imaging purposes. [see Description (11.1)] Following subcutaneous injection, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid enters the lymphatic capillaries and is transported with lymph to lymph nodes. However, when there is massive nodal metastatic involvement, the normal transport to lymph nodes is lost because few normal cells remain in the node. [ see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] Following intraperitoneal injection, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid mixes with the peritoneal fluid; rate of clearance from the cavity allows assessment of the patency of the shunt. Clearance varies from insignificant, which may occur with complete shunt blockage, to very rapid clearance with subsequent transfer into the systemic circulation when the shunt is patent. Following intravenous injection, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), allowing RES rich structures to be imaged. With oral administration, Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid is not absorbed accounting for its function in esophageal transit studies, gastroesophageal reflux scintigraphy, and for the detection of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents.

Is there a generic Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Technetium tc 99m sulfur colloid in the news

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID eeaf70fd-46bd-4fec-ba9d-2366fdf07888.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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