Your doctor has ordered the drug strontium-89 chloride to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein or a catheter that has been placed in a vein.
relieve bone pain
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Strontium-89 chloride is in a class of drugs known as radioisotopes. It delivers radiation to cancer sites and ultimately decreases bone pain. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
increased pain starting 2-3 days after treatment and lasting 2-3 days
flushing
diarrhea
fatigue
unusual bruising or bleeding
no decrease in pain 7 days after treatment
fever
chills
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Because this medication may be present in your blood and urine for about 1 week after an injection, you should follow certain precautions during this time. Use a normal toilet instead of a urinal, if possible, and flush the toilet twice after each use. Also wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet. Wipe any spilled urine or blood with a tissue and flush the tissue away. Immediately wash any stained clothes or bed linens separately from other laundry.
The most common side effect of strontium-89 chloride is a decrease of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug.
Last Reviewed - 04/01/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.