Last update Feb. 14, 2024

Gallium-68 (68Ga)

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Gallium-68 (68Ga) is a radioactive isotope of gallium that emits positrons, Auger electrons, X-rays and gamma rays. It is used by labeling dotatate or edotreotide in positron emission tomography (PET) for the study of somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumors.

Ga68 has a radioactive half-life of 68 minutes. (IAEA 2018)

Milk from nursing mothers administered Gallium-68, 4 hours later had cleared it in sufficient quantity for the infant to receive a dose of less than 1mSv. (Forwood 2016)

After administration of Ga68, a 4-hour break in lactation is recommended. (IAEA 68)

Nuclear medicine centers can measure the radioactivity of milk to determine when breastfeeding can be safely resumed. (Stabin 2000) 

Adequate radiation protection procedures must be ensured so that infants of nursing mothers working in nuclear medicine centers do not receive radiation greater than 1mSv through their mothers' milk.  Some directives advise that nursing mothers should not work in these facilities during the breastfeeding period.(Almén 2017).


See below the information of these related products:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Gallium-68 (68Ga).

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
DONATE NOW

Other names

Gallium-68 (68Ga) is also known as


Gallium-68 (68Ga) in other languages or writings:

Group

Gallium-68 (68Ga) belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Gallium-68 (68Ga) in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
T½ 1.1 hours

References

  1. ACMUI: Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes. Sub-Committee on Nursing Mother Guidelines for the Medical Administration of Radioactive Materials. Final Report Submitted: January 31, 2019 Full text (link to original source)
  2. IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency. Radiation Protection and Safety in Medical Uses of Ionizing Radiation IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-46, 2018 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Almén A, Mattsson S. Radiological protection of foetuses and breast-fed children of occupationally exposed women in nuclear medicine - Challenges for hospitals. Phys Med. 2017 Nov;43:172-177. Abstract
  4. Forwood NJ, Kanthan GL, Bailey DL, Chan DL, Schembri GP. 68Ga-DOTATATE Breast Uptake and Expression in Breast Milk. Clin Nucl Med. 2016 Aug;41(8):654-5. Abstract
  5. Stabin MG, Breitz HB. Breast milk excretion of radiopharmaceuticals: mechanisms, findings, and radiation dosimetry. J Nucl Med. 2000 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

Total visits

470

Help us improve this entry

How to cite this entry

Do you need more information or did not found what you were looking for?

   Write us at elactancia.org@gmail.com

e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 of United States of America

Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM