What difference can Detectnet make?
A PET scan with Detectnet helps to find NETs and may provide important information for planning treatment. Learn how Detectnet works and why your doctor might recommend a PET scan with Detectnet.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be hard to find
Detectnet™ (copper Cu 64 dotatate injection) can help
Detectnet helps find NETs
Detectnet is used with an imaging test called a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A PET scan with Detectnet creates a clear picture of NETs in the body. It is important for your health care team to have a clear picture to understand where NETs are located and which treatments may be good options for you.
Do you have a PET scan with Detectnet coming up?
Find out what to expect during your appointment and how to prepare.
Do you want to find support or learn more about NETs?
Explore helpful resources and connect with the NET community.
What are NETs?
When the cells of your neuroendocrine system don’t grow normally, it can lead to neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs. Your neuroendocrine system is made up of nerve cells and endocrine cells in the body that help control hormones in the blood. These hormones control many bodily functions. Neuroendocrine cells are found in almost every organ of the body. Some areas are more common for NETs, but they can occur in many parts of the body.
Why are NETs hard to find?
NETs don’t always cause symptoms right away. The symptoms depend on where the tumor is located and whether it is functional or nonfunctional.
- Functional NETs cause symptoms because they produce too much of a hormone
- Nonfunctional NETs may not cause symptoms because they either don’t make hormones or don’t make enough hormones to cause symptoms
NET symptoms may include:
Diarrhea
Anxiety
Feeling more tired than usual
Feeling breathless
Abdominal pain
Changes in blood pressure
Skin reactions like flushing
Heartburn
Sweating, dizziness, headaches, or nausea
Weight loss
Find a Detectnet imaging center
A PET scan with Detectnet can provide your health care team with a clear picture of NETs in the body and help them decide which treatments may be right for you. Use the Detectnet Locator Tool to find a Detectnet imaging center near you.
IMPORTANT FACTS
WHAT IS DETECTNET?
Detectnet™ (copper Cu 64 dotatate injection) is intended for use with a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. It helps to identify certain types of tumors, called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), in adult patients.
This is not a complete report of risk information for Detectnet. Please speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more about Detectnet and see full Prescribing Information or visit Detectnet.com.
IMPORTANT FACTS
WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE USE OF DETECTNET?
Radiation Risk:
When radioactive drugs like Detectnet are used to help doctors find disease, they expose patients to radiation. Long-term exposure to radiation is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Your healthcare provider will take safety measures to reduce your exposure to radiation. To help your body get rid of the radiation from Detectnet, you should drink plenty of fluids both before and after receiving it, and urinate often after your scan.
Hypersensitivity Reactions:
After using Detectnet, some patients reported getting a rash or itchy skin. They usually went away on their own or with normal care. Less commonly, patients had swelling under the skin or another serious, life-threatening, allergic reaction.
Risk for Image Misinterpretation:
Detectnet works by attaching to NETs, which helps the tumors to be seen in your scan. However, there are other types of tumors or normal variations in tissue that Detectnet can also attach to. That means that it’s possible your healthcare provider may see things in your scan that are not necessarily NETs. Also, if you’ve never had a NET before, a negative result—when your healthcare provider sees no NETs—does not guarantee that you do not, or will not, have NETs.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF DETECTNET?
In trials of Detectnet, participants experienced few negative side effects. Adverse reactions occurred at a rate of less than 2% and included nausea, vomiting, and flushing (getting red in the face). In some trials, people felt nauseated right after Detectnet was injected.
WHAT OTHER MEDICINES MAY INTERACT WITH DETECTNET?
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications. Somatostatin analogs may affect how Detectnet works. You should stop taking long-acting somatostatin analogs at least 28 days before your Detectnet scan. You should stop taking short-acting somatostatin analogs 2 days before your Detectnet scan.
WHO SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN USING DETECTNET?
Pregnant women
All radioactive drugs, like Detectnet, can be dangerous to an unborn baby. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are (or could be) pregnant so that you can discuss the risks and benefits of using Detectnet.
Breastfeeding mothers
If you’re breastfeeding your child, consider pumping and saving breast milk before you have your scan performed. You should not breastfeed for 12 hours after you receive Detectnet. During those 12 hours, bottle-feed using formula or saved breast milk.
Patients under age 18
It is not known if Detectnet is safe and effective in patients under 18 years of age.
Patients over age 65
There were not enough trial participants over age 65 to determine if Detectnet works differently in older patients, but other reports have not found differences between the way older and younger patients respond to it. If you are over age 65, your healthcare provider will take your age, overall health, and other medications into consideration before using Detectnet as part of your scan.
WHAT IF I GET TOO MUCH RADIATION?
If your healthcare provider thinks you may have had an overdose of radiation, they will encourage you to drink more fluids and urinate more often to help your body get rid of the radiation exposure. They may also suggest that you take a diuretic (a medicine that increases your body’s production of urine).
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.
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