Answers to your questions about LUTATHERA
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions. To learn more about GEP-NETs and their treatment, talk with the members of your care team. They are there to support you throughout your treatment journey.
Exposure to medical radiation is a common fear among patients. You may worry about exposing those around you to radiation during your LUTATHERA treatment. Or you may struggle with how to explain it to your family and friends. It’s important to recognize that the risks to those around you are low. By following your healthcare team’s instructions, you can help keep everyone around you safe during your treatment.
During LUTATHERA treatment, it is important for patients to reduce radiation exposure to household contacts consistent with good radiation safety practices. The radiation will be detectable in your urine for up to 30 days following administration of the drug.
In the United States, the use of the radioactive materials for nuclear medicine are regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and individual states to ensure the safety of patients, healthcare teams, and the general public. In addition, regulations require that radiopharmaceuticals can only be prepared and administered by medical professionals who specialize in nuclear medicine, including radiopharmacists, nuclear physicians, and nuclear technologists.
Treatment with LUTATHERA will expose you to radiation, which can contribute to your long-term radiation exposure. Overall radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk for cancer. The radiation will be detectable in your urine for up to 30 days following administration of the drug. It is important to minimize radiation exposure to household contacts consistent with good radiation safety practices.
Pregnancy status should be verified by the care team for all females who could become pregnant before beginning treatment with LUTATHERA. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or you or your partner plan to become pregnant before taking LUTATHERA. LUTATHERA can harm your unborn baby. Females should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for 7 months after the final dose of LUTATHERA. Males with female partners should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for 4 months after the final dose of LUTATHERA.
Treatment with LUTATHERA may cause infertility. This is because radiation absorbed by your testes or ovaries over the treatment period falls in the range of exposure where temporary or permanent infertility may occur.
Patients who have completed treatment should speak with their healthcare team about the best time to conceive and about the risks for infertility.
AAA PatientCONNECT™ provides services to facilitate your access to LUTATHERA treatment.
Patient Help Line: 1-844-638-7222, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET
There are treatment centers at various locations throughout the United States. See them here.
What is LUTATHERA?
LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that are positive for the hormone receptor somatostatin, including GEP-NETs in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION1
What is LUTATHERA?
LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that are positive for the hormone receptor somatostatin, including GEP-NETs in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION1
What are some important things to know about the safety of LUTATHERA?
LUTATHERA is associated with some serious safety considerations, and in some cases these may require your healthcare provider to adjust or stop your treatment. You should always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Safety considerations include:
What are the most common side effects of LUTATHERA?
The most common and most serious side effects of LUTATHERA include: vomiting, nausea, decreased blood cell counts, increased liver enzymes, decreased blood potassium levels, and increased blood glucose.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects. There are other possible side effects of LUTATHERA. For more information, and to learn more about LUTATHERA, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.
What other medicines may interact with LUTATHERA?
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications. Somatostatin analogs and corticosteroids may affect how your LUTATHERA treatment works. You should stop taking your long-acting somatostatin analog at least 4 weeks before LUTATHERA treatment. You may continue taking short-acting somatostatin analogs up to 24 hours before your LUTATHERA treatment. Avoid repeated high doses of glucocorticosteroids during treatment with LUTATHERA.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for LUTATHERA.
Distributed by: Advanced Accelerator Applications USA, Inc., NJ 07041
Reference: 1. LUTATHERA® [prescribing information]. Millburn, NJ: Advanced Accelerator Applications USA, Inc.; May 2020.