Ferric Hexacyanoferrate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidote

Generic and brand names: ferric hexacyanoferrate, oral; Prussian blue; Radiogardase

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat contamination with radioactive cesium or thallium.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• constipation, diarrhea, or other problems with bowel movements
• hypokalemia (too little potassium in the blood)
• intestinal blockage.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Breast-feeding is not recommended if you need to take this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine with food. If you cannot swallow the capsules whole, you may open the capsule and mix the medicine with bland foods or dissolve it in a liquid. This may discolor your mouth and teeth.

Ask your healthcare provider about taking a fiber laxative or eating more fiber to help this medicine work better.

Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you mix the medicine in food or liquid, this medicine may stain your teeth blue. Your bowel movements may also turn blue while you are taking this medicine. This is not harmful.

This medicine helps your body get rid of radioactivity. To avoid exposing others to any radioactivity in your urine or blood:

• Use a regular toilet (not a urinal) if one is available, and flush it twice.
• Wipe up spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet.
• Immediately wash any linen or clothing stained with urine or blood. Wash these items separately and rinse well.
• Wash away blood if you get a cut.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse. Common side effects include constipation and upset stomach.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as doxycycline (Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the dark at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.