The Basics
What is Ammonia N 13?
Radioactive diagnostic agent for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.
Brand names for Ammonia N 13
N/A
How Ammonia N 13 is classified
Radiopharmaceuticals, Nitrogen Radioisotopes, Diagnostic Agents
Ammonia N 13 During Pregnancy
Ammonia N 13 pregnancy category
Category Note that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Ammonia N 13 while pregnant
N/A
Taking Ammonia N 13 While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Ammonia N 13?
Information in this record refers to the use of ammonia N 13 as a diagnostic agent in PET scans. No information is available on the use of ammonia N 13 during breastfeeding. The Society for Nuclear Medicine and the International Commission on Radiological Protection states that breastfeeding need not be interrupted after administration of ammonia N 13,[1][2] although the manufacturer recommends withholding breastfeeding for 2 hours. This length of time is greater than 10 half-lives of the radioisotope, so the nursing infant should not be exposed to radiation if this the 2-hour time period is used. The mother can nurse just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical. If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[3][4][5] Milk that is pumped by the mother during the time of breastfeeding interruption can either be discarded or stored and given to the infant after 10 physical half-lives, or about 2 hours, have elapsed. Nursing mothers should not work with radioactive substances used in PET scans in their workplace.[6]
Maternal / infant drug levels
Information in this record refers to the use of ammonia N 13 as a diagnostic agent in PET scans. No information is available on the use of ammonia N 13 during breastfeeding. The Society for Nuclear Medicine and the International Commission on Radiological Protection states that breastfeeding need not be interrupted after administration of ammonia N 13,[1][2] although the manufacturer recommends withholding breastfeeding for 2 hours. This length of time is greater than 10 half-lives of the radioisotope, so the nursing infant should not be exposed to radiation if this the 2-hour time period is used. The mother can nurse just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical. If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[3][4][5] Milk that is pumped by the mother during the time of breastfeeding interruption can either be discarded or stored and given to the infant after 10 physical half-lives, or about 2 hours, have elapsed. Nursing mothers should not work with radioactive substances used in PET scans in their workplace.[6]
Possible effects of Ammonia N 13 on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Ammonia N 13
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Dorbala S, Di Carli MF, Delbeke D et al. SNMMI/ASNC/SCCT guideline for cardiac SPECT/CT and PET/CT 1.0. J Nucl Med. 2013;54:1485-507. PMID: 23781013
2. Mattsson S, Johansson L, Leide Svegborn S et al. Radiation dose to patients from radiopharmaceuticals: A compendium of current information related to frequently used substances. Annex D. Recommendations on breast-feeding interruptions. Ann ICRP. 2015;44 (2 Suppl):319-21. PMID: 26069086
3. Howe DB, Beardsley M, Bakhsh S. Appendix U. Model procedure for release of patients or human research subjects administered radioactive materials. In, NUREG-1556. Consolidated guidance about materials licenses. Program-specific guidance about medical use licenses. Final report. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. 2008;9, Rev. 2. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1556/v9/r2/
4. Mountford PJ, Coakley AJ. A review of the secretion of radioactivity in human breast milk: data, quantitative analysis and recommendations. Nucl Med Commun. 1989;10:15-27. PMID: 2645546
5. Early PJ, Sodee DB. Principles and practice of nuclear medicine. 2nd ed. St. Louis. Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 1995:1380-1.
6. Almen A, Mattsson S. Radiological protection of foetuses and breast-fed children of occupationally exposed women in nuclear medicine – Challenges for hospitals. Phys Med. 2017;43:172-7. PMID: 28882410
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
