After Lutathera Therapy

You received Lutathera Therapy today. Lutathera therapy uses radiation to treat gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP- NETS). Since Lutathera uses radiation you need to follow the radiation safety precautions for the time frames given below. By following these precautions you will reduce the amount of radiation your family, your caregivers and the public will receive because of this therapy.

Radiation Safety Precautions

Follow these precautions for the number of days listed.

Contact with Family, Friends, Caregivers and Other People

• Keep a distance of at least 4 feet for 3 days after receiving Lutathera. 

• Do not touch, kiss or have any contact with others.

Bathroom Use

• Men should sit down to pass urine to limit splashing.

• Flush the toilet 2 times after each use.

• Flush tissues, blood, urine and feces down the toilet for 2 days.

• Put all trash, that cannot be flushed down the toilet in a separate trash bag.

• Use toilet paper each time.

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds each time you use the bathroom. 

• Try to urinate every hour on the day of treatment and two days after treatment.

 Eating and Drinking

• Drink 1 glass of water per hour for the first 8 hours after treatment. This will cause you to use the bathroom more and lower the radioactive Lutathera in your body.

• Do not share your food, drinks or eating utensils (spoon, fork, and knife) with others.

Sexual Activity/Pregnancy

• Do not have sex for 7 days (one week).

• Use a condom during sexual activity for 6 months after therapy.

• Contraceptive methods such as birth control and condoms, must be used during treatment and for 6 months after treatment to avoid pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

• Do not breastfeed during treatment and 2 ½ months after treatment.

• Ask your doctor when you can start breastfeeding again.

 Around the House

• Family and friends that help you should wear disposable gloves for 2 days after therapy.

• Catheters, colostomy bags, bedpans, water nozzles and/or anything contaminated by body fluids must be emptied right away in the toilet and then cleaned with soap and water.

• If anyone helps clean up vomit, blood, urine, or stool, they should wear plastic gloves.

• Gloves can be thrown away in the regular trash.

• Keep trash bags away from children and animals.

• Wash your underwear, pajamas, all clothes, bedsheets and bath towels separately from other family members.  Wash these items every day for 2 days after treatment.

Emergency Care

• If you need to go to the hospital for an emergency during the first week of treatment, make sure to tell the doctors about your treatment, the date and dose of your radioactive treatment.

• A Patient Release Card will be given to you that list information about your treatment.

• Keep the Patient Release Card with you for the next 30 days.

Travel

• Keep the Patient Release Card with you whenever you travel for at least 3 months after treatment.

• Wait 2 days before going to any public places, going on trips or using public transportation.

Summary of the most important recommended precautions

Day-time

• You may return to work in 3 days.

• Avoid close contact (4 feet) with children under 10 and pregnant women for 7 days.

Night-time

• Sleep in a separate bed from your partner for 2 days.

• Sleep in a separate bedroom from infants and children under 10 years old for 7 days.

• Sleep in a separate bedroom from pregnant partners for 15 days. 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away or go to the Emergency Room if:

• Hard to breath

• Flushing/Reddening

• High heart rate

• Fever

If You Have Questions

If you have any questions, call your doctor's office.