Amyvid (Florbetapir F-18) is a radioactive agent used in PET scanning to detect beta-amyloid deposition in the brain of patients being evaluated for cognitive decline such as those with Alzheimer's disease.

Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid) Uses:

• Use in radioimaging:

  • It is a radioactive agent that is used in PET (positron emission tomography) scanning. It estimated the density of beta-amyloid neuritic plaques in the brain of patients who are being evaluated for cognitive decline such as those with Alzheimer's disease.

Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid) Dose in Adults

Note: Measure dose by a suitable radioactivity calibration system immediately before the drug administration.

Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid) Dose in the Radioimaging:

• IV: 10 mCi (370 MBq);
• Maximum dose: 50 mcg mass dose

Use in Children:

Not indicated.

Pregnancy Risk Factor C

• The drug has not yet been tested in human or animal pregnancies.
• Radiopharmaceutical drugs can cause harm to the fetus. Before administering radiopharmaceutical agents, it is important to evaluate your pregnancy status.

Florbetapir F-18 use during breastfeeding:

• Avoid breastfeeding due to the possibility of adverse drug reactions in your infant.
• Manufacturers recommend that breastfeeding be stopped for 24 hours following the administration of the drug.
• To minimize radiation exposure, breastmilk should be thrown out and proper nutrition administered to the infant for 24hrs.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dose in Liver disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Side Effects of Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid):

• Central nervous system:

  • Headache

Contraindications to Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid):

The manufacturer's labeling does not contain any contraindications.

Warnings and precautions

• Malignancy

  • Because this agent is radiopharmaceutical, repeated and large doses can increase radiation exposure and the risk of cancer.

Monitoring Parameters:

None mentioned.

How to administer Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid)?

Intravenous administration:

• It is administered as a single bolus of a total of 10 ml or less without diluting it intravenously.
• After the injection, the line should be flushed with normal saline to ensure full delivery of the dose.
• The drug should be administered via a short catheter to minimize the adsorption of the drug to the line.
• 10-minutes PET imaging may be initiated 30 to 50 minutes after the injection.
• Patients should remain in the supine position with the brain centered in the PET scanner field of view.

Since this is a radiopharmaceutical agent, appropriate precautions for handling and disposal is warranted. During the handling and administration of the drug, appropriate shielding should be used and waterproof gloves should be worn.

Mechanism of action of Florbetapir F-18 (Amyvid):

Florbetapir F18 binds with the b-amyloid plaques, producing a positron signal which is detected by a PET scanner.

Distribution:

• Within 20 minutes of administration, less than 5% is found in the blood.
• After 45 minutes, less than 2% is found in the blood.

Half-life elimination:

• Florbetapir F18: ~110 minutes

Excretion:

• Predominately through the biliary and gastrointestinal tract

International Brands of Florbetapir F-18:

• Amyvid

Florbetapir F-18 Brand Names in Pakistan:

No Brands Available in Pakistan.