Megatope

Description for Megatope

Megatope (Iodinated I 131 Albumin Injection) is a diagonostic radiopharmaceutical containing iodinated I 131 albumin for intravenous use. Each mL of sterile, nonpyrogenic, aqueous, colorless to very pale yellow solution provides approximate 10 mg protein (albumin human), 16 mg dibasic sodium phosphate, 1.6 mg monobasic sodium phosphate, not more than 0.4 guanidine hydrochloride, sodium chloride for isotonicity, and 9 mg benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The pH has been adjusted to 7.2 to 7.8 with sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid.

Megatope was prepared from blood that was nonreactive when tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

The structure of the complex is unknown.

Physical Characteristics

Iodine 131 decays by beta and gamma emissions with a physical half-life of 8.08 days.¹

Photons that are useful for detection and imaging studies are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Principal Radiation Emission Data
Radiation	Mean % per Disintegration	Mean Energy (keV)
Beta-4 (average)	89.3	191.6
Gamma-14	81.2	364.5
1Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File of the Oak Ridge Nuclear Data Project DOE (1985).

External Radiation

The specific gamma ray constant for iodine 131 is 2.2 R/hour-millicurie at 1 cm. The first half-value layer is 0.24 cm lead (Pb). A range of values for the relative attenuation of the radiation emitted by this radionuclide that result from interposition of various thicknesses of Pb is shown in Table 2. To facilitate control of the radiation exposure from this radionuclide, the use of a 2.55 cm thickness of Pb will attenuate the radiation emitted by a factor of about 1,000.

TABLE 2

Radiation Attenuation by Lead Shielding
Shield Thickness (Pb)cm	Attenuation Factor
0.24	0.5
0.89	10-1
1.6	10-2
2.55	10-3
3.7	10-4
To correct for physical decay of iodine 131, the fractions that remain at selected intervals after the time of calibration are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3

Physical Decay Chart: Iodine 131 half-life 8.08 days
Days	Fraction Remaining	Days	Fraction Remaining	Days	Fraction Remaining
0*	1.000	11	.388	21	.164
1	.918	12	.356	22	.151
2	.842	13	.327	23	.138
3	.773	14	.300	24	.127
4	.709	15	.275	25	.116
5	.651	16	.253	26	.107
6	.597	17	.232	27	.098
7	.548	18	.213	28	.090
8	.503	19	.195	29	.083
9	.461	20	.179	30	.076
10	.423
*Calibration time

Uses for Megatope

MEGATOPE is indicated in adults for use in determinations of total blood and plasma volumes.

Dosage for Megatope

Premedication

Administer 10 drops of Strong Iodine Solution, USP (e.g., Lugol's Solution) three times daily, beginning at least 24 hours before administration of MEGATOPE and continue for 1 week or 2 weeks thereafter to minimize the uptake of iodine-131.

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dose of MEGATOPE for total blood or plasma volume determination in adult patients is from 0.185 MBq to 1.85 MBq (5 microCi to 50 microCi) administered intravenously.

When a procedure such as a blood volume is to be repeated, do not exceed 7.4 MBq (200 microCi) in any 1 week.

Administration Instructions

• Measure the patient dose using a suitable dose calibrator immediately prior to administration.
• Use a shielded syringe for withdrawing and injecting MEGATOPE.
• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. MEGATOPE is a colorless to very pale yellow solution. Do not use MEGATOPE if excessive coloration is present.
• The expiration date given on the MEGATOPE vial label pertains to the stability of MEGATOPE and not to the radioactivity level.

Blood Volume Determination

Preparation Of Reference Solution

1. Remove the amount from the vial to be used in the procedure identical in volume to the dose to be administered to the patient.
2. Prepare a reference solution using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP as a diluent. The recommended dilution is 1:4,000 [Dilution Factor (DF) = 4,000].
3. Determine the radioactivity concentration (net cpm/mL) of the reference solution.
4. Assay the reference solution and the blood samples (Step 3 of Administration of Dose) using the same geometric configuration.

Administration Of Dose

1. Inject the dose into a large vein in patient's arm. Measure the residual radioactivity in the syringe and needle.
2. Do not reuse the syringe. Dispose the syringe in accordance with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Agreement State regulations pertaining to the disposal of radioactive waste.
3. At 5 minutes and 15 minutes after injecting the dose, withdraw blood samples from the patient's other arm with a sterile heparinized syringe.

Calculation Of Blood Volume

1. Take a known aliquot from each blood sample and determine radioactivity concentration in net cpm/mL.
2. Plot the 5-minute and 15-minute sample counts (net cpm/mL) on semilog graph paper using the average count value of each sample and determine the radioactivity concentration at injection time (zero time) by drawing a straight line through the 15-minute and 5-minute points to zero time. The x ordinate of the graph is the sample withdrawal time and the logarithmic y ordinate is radioactivity concentration in net cpm/mL.
3. Calculate patient's blood volume (in mL) using the following formula:

Net cpm/mL reference solution/ Net cpm/mL patient's blood sample x DF* = blood volume (in mL)

Sample Blood Volume Calculations

Volume of blood sample aliquot = 1 mL
Volume of reference solution aliquot = 1 mL
Net counts at zero time = 48,100
Net counts obtained from reference solution aliquot = 52,430

Serial Blood Volume Determinations

• Use a low dose of MEGATOPE to permit repetitions as often as required by clinical circumstances.
• In each determination after the first dose, correct the background radioactivity remaining in the blood from former determinations by subtracting the radioactivity concentration of a blood sample obtained before the injection of MEGATOPE (i.e., background blood sample) from the radioactivity concentration of a post-injection blood sample.

Background Blood Sample

1. Prior to injecting MEGATOPE, withdraw background blood sample from large vein in patient’s arm with a sterile heparinized syringe.
2. Leaving needle in patient's vein, detach syringe containing blood sample.
3. Attach syringe containing the dose of MEGATOPE to the indwelling needle and administer (see instructions under Blood Volume Determination, Administration of Dose).
4. Determine radioactivity concentration in net cpm/mL of aliquots taken from background and post-injection blood samples, and from the reference solution.

Calculation Of Blood Volume

Subtract the radioactivity concentration (net cpm/mL) per aliquot of the background blood sample from the radioactivity concentration per aliquot of the blood sample obtained after the injection of MEGATOPE. The formula for calculating each blood volume determination after the first one thus becomes:

Plasma Volume Determination

The procedure is essentially the same as that for blood volume determination, except that the blood sample drawn from the patient is centrifuged, the red blood cells are removed, and net cpm /mL of the plasma is determined. The formula for calculation of plasma volume, therefore, is:

Radiation Dosimetry

The estimated absorbed radiation doses to an adult patient from an intravenous injection of 1.85 MBq (50 microCi) of MEGATOPE are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Estimated Absorbed Radiation Doses

Tissue	Rads
Blood	0.25 to 1
Thyroid (blocked)	1.25 to 2.5
Liver	0.06
Gonads	0.1 to 0.45
Whole-body	0.05
Method of Calculation: Hine GJ, Johnston RE: Absorbed Doses from Radionuclides, J. Nucl Med 11:468-469,1970.

HOW SUPPLIED

MEGATOPE (iodinated I 131 albumin) injection is a colorless to very pale yellow solution available in multiple-dose vials containing the following amounts of radioactivity on the date of calibration:

Total Radioactivity	Concentration	NDC
296 MBq/ 8 mL (8,000 microCi/ 8 mL)	37 MBq/mL (1,000 microCi/mL)	50914-7731-4

Complete radioassay data for each vial are provided on the MEGATOPE vial label.

Store refrigerated at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) in a suitable lead shield.

This radiopharmaceutical is licensed for distribution to facilities and persons licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or under an equivalent license issued by an Agreement State.

Iso-Tex Diagnostics, Inc., 1511 County Road 129 Alvin. Revised: Aug 2023

Side Effects for Megatope

The following adverse reactions have been identified with the use of radioiodinated albumin products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity

Drug Interactions for Megatope

No Information provided

Warnings for Megatope

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Aseptic meningitis and pyrogenic reactions have been reported following cisternography with MEGATOPE. The safety and effectiveness of MEGATOPE for cisternography have not been established. MEGATOPE is not approved for this use.

Precautions for Megatope

General

In the use of any radioactive material, care should be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the patient and healthcare providers consistent with proper patient management.

Radiopharmaceuticals should be used by or under control of healthcare providers who are qualified by specific training and experience in the safe use and handling of radionuclides and whose experience and training have been approved by the appropriate government agency authorized to license the use of radionuclides.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

No long-term animal studies have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential or whether iodinated I 131 albumin affects fertility in males or females.

Pregnancy

Iodine-131 crosses the placenta and can permanently impair fetal thyroid function. MEGATOPE should be administered to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Administration of an appropriate thyroid blocking agent is recommended before use of MEGATOPE in a pregnant woman to protect the woman and fetus from accumulation of iodine-131 (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

There are no data on iodinated I 131 albumin use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. All radiopharmaceuticals have the potential to cause fetal harm depending on the fetal stage of development and the magnitude of the radiation dose.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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.

Nursing Mothers

Iodine-131 is present in human milk. There are no data on the effect of iodinated I 131 albumin on the breastfed infant or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, including transient hypothyroidism, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with MEGATOPE and for 80 days after the final dose.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of MEGATOPE in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of MEGATOPE did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

Overdose Information for Megatope

No Information provided

Contraindications for Megatope

None known.

Clinical Pharmacology for Megatope

Following intravenous injection, iodinated I 131 albumin is distributed throughout the intravascular pool within 10 minutes; extravascular distribution takes place more slowly. Iodinated I 131 albumin also can be detected in the lymph and in certain body tissues within 10 minutes after injection, but maximum distribution of radioactivity throughout the extravascular space does not occur until two to four days after administration. The time at which extravascular activity is maximal has been designated as the “equilibrium time.” When this point has been reached, the radioactivity remaining in the intravascular and extravascular spaces decreases slowly and exponentially in parallel fashion.

The administered radioactivity is eliminated almost entirely in the urine, only about 2 percent of the total dose ultimately appears in the feces.

The biologic half-life of iodinated I 131 albumin is dependent upon a number of factors, and published studies have varied considerably in their reporting of this figure. It has ranged, in the literature, from below 10 days to over 20 days. One important factor affecting the biologic half-life is the initial rate of excretion, and this depends in part on the quality of the iodinated I 131 albumin. With MEGATOPE, the biologic half-life in normal individuals has been reported to be approximately 14 days.

Patient Information for Megatope

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section.