Page 191 - Pharmaceutics IV (02-06-01305)

Radiopharmaceuticals

Definition:

Radiopharmaceutical is a radioactive agent that is used for diagnostic
or therapeutic procedures .The State board of pharmacy & 2
branches of the government whose responsibilities in the category
have overlapping jurisdictions .They are the FDA & the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission ( NRC ) .

Nuclear Pharmacy

The first speciality in pharmacy recognized ( in 1978 ) by the board
of Pharmaceutical specialities ,focuses on the safe & effective use of
radioactive drugs or radiopharmaceuticals.
Radioisotopes ,Radionuclides

Artificially produced unstable atoms of a naturally occurring element.
They have the same number of electrons & protons as the naturally
occurring element ,but different number of neutrons .

More than 1000 radioisotopes are known to occur, only 50 are
naturally occurring.

Production

Produced by the bombarding the atoms of the stable ,naturally
occurring element with fast- moving neutrons

Produced in a nuclear reactor or particle accelerator.

Half -Life ( t1/2 )
The rate of conversion of an isotope to its stable elemental
composition .

Types of radiation The unstable nuclei of radioisotopes dissipate
energy ,in the form of specific types of radiations ,as they

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