FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Technetium Tc-99M

Technetium Tc-99m is a radioactive diagnostic agent used across several products for imaging the brain, thyroid, salivary glands, urinary bladder, nasolacrimal drainage system, and to help locate abdominal infections.

Brand names Ultra-TechnekowUltra-Technekow V4CeretecKit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi
Drug class ⓘ Radioactive Diagnostic Agent
Rx Form 1 Route Intravenous
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 2 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveOct 16, 2024
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ2
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1973
FDA-listed product records ⓘ29
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
⭐ Technetium Tc-99M at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Technetium Tc-99m is a radioactive imaging agent — not a treatment — used to help doctors see the brain, thyroid, urinary tract, and sites of infection or inflammation through specialized scans. It is always given by trained medical staff in a clinical setting, and the radiation dose is carefully considered against the benefit of the diagnostic information it provides. Drinking fluids and urinating frequently after your scan helps your body clear the radioactive material faster.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Technetium Tc-99M: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Technetium Tc-99M — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Technetium Tc-99m is a radioactive imaging agent used across multiple products to help visualize organs and detect areas of disease. The specific approved uses depend on the product.

  • Ceretec (adults and children ages 2–17): Used to help locate infections and inflammatory bowel disease inside the abdomen by labeling white blood cells (leukocyte labeled scintigraphy)
  • Ceretec (adults and children ages 2–17): Used to detect areas of reduced blood flow in the brain following a stroke (cerebral scintigraphy)
  • Ultra-Technekow (adults): Used for thyroid gland imaging
  • Ultra-Technekow (adults): Used for salivary gland imaging
  • Ultra-Technekow (adults): Used for urinary bladder imaging to detect vesico-ureteral reflux (backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters)
  • Ultra-Technekow (adults): Used for nasolacrimal drainage system imaging (dacryoscintigraphy) to check tear duct function
  • Ultra-Technekow (pediatric patients): Used for thyroid imaging and urinary bladder imaging to detect vesico-ureteral reflux
⚙️How it works▾

Technetium Tc-99m works as a radioactive tracer — it emits a signal that a special camera can detect, allowing doctors to create images of how organs and tissues look and function. With Ceretec, the Tc-99m forms a fat-soluble compound that can cross the blood-brain barrier (the protective filter between the bloodstream and the brain) and enter white blood cells. In brain imaging, it gets taken up by brain tissue in proportion to blood flow and becomes trapped there, highlighting areas with reduced circulation. For infection imaging, it enters white blood cells, which then travel to sites of infection or inflammation — making those areas visible on the scan. With Ultra-Technekow, a different form of Tc-99m (sodium pertechnetate) concentrates naturally in organs such as the thyroid, salivary glands, and bladder lining, where its radioactive signal is detected by the imaging camera.

💊How it's taken▾

Technetium Tc-99m is always administered by trained healthcare professionals in a clinical setting — it is never self-administered at home. The route of administration depends on the product and the scan being performed.

  • Ceretec is given as an intravenous (IV) injection into a vein; for leukocyte (white blood cell) labeling, it must be given as soon as possible after preparation — preferably within 20 minutes and no later than 1 hour
  • Ceretec for brain imaging is given by IV injection, with imaging starting 30–90 minutes later and completed within 4 hours
  • Ultra-Technekow sodium pertechnetate is given by IV injection for thyroid, salivary gland, and tear duct imaging; for bladder imaging, it is instilled directly into the bladder through a catheter; for tear duct imaging, it is placed using a small device near the eye
  • After any Tc-99m procedure, drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently to help clear the radioactive material and reduce radiation to the kidneys and bladder
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

Most people tolerate Technetium Tc-99m scans well, but some side effects have been reported with Ceretec:

  • Temporary increase in blood pressure (the most commonly reported effect)
  • Flushing (sudden warmth or redness)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Tingling or unusual skin sensations (paresthesia)
  • Fatigue or general feeling of being unwell
  • Fever

Serious allergic reactions — including anaphylaxis (a severe, whole-body allergic response with facial swelling, rash, or difficulty breathing) — have been reported. Emergency equipment and trained staff are present during your scan specifically to manage this if it occurs. Tell your care team immediately if you feel unwell during or after the procedure.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Radiation exposure: Every use of Tc-99m adds to your lifetime radiation total, which is associated with a small increased risk of cancer over time. Drinking fluids and urinating frequently after the scan helps limit this exposure. Children face greater radiation risks than adults because they are more sensitive to radiation and have more years ahead — the younger the child, the greater the concern.
  • Allergic reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, have been reported with Ceretec. Medical staff have resuscitation equipment available and will monitor you throughout the procedure.
  • Image interpretation errors: For leukocyte-labeled scans, other conditions — such as tumors, recent tissue damage, or unrelated inflammation — can affect how the images look and may make results harder to interpret accurately.
  • Kidney impairment: This agent is largely cleared through the kidneys. Patients with reduced kidney function may receive higher radiation exposure, so their care team may adjust the dose accordingly.
🔀What it interacts with▾

The FDA labels for Technetium Tc-99m products do not list specific drug, food, or supplement interactions.

    This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

    📋Before taking it▾
    • Pregnancy: Tc-99m crosses the placenta and can expose a developing baby to radiation. The risks depend on the stage of pregnancy and the amount of radioactivity used. Discuss the risks and benefits carefully with your doctor if you are or may be pregnant.
    • Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding and receive Ceretec, you should pump and discard breast milk for 12 to 24 hours after the injection to protect your infant from radiation exposure.
    • Children: Ceretec is approved for children ages 2–17 for its specific uses. It has not been established as safe or effective in children under age 2. Children carry a higher radiation risk than adults.
    • Older adults: Elderly patients may need to start at the lower end of the dose range because aging can affect kidney, liver, and heart function.
    • Kidney problems: Because Tc-99m is substantially cleared through the kidneys, patients with impaired kidney function may receive more radiation exposure. Your care team may consider adjusting the dose.
    📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

    The exact relationship between Tc-99m exametazime blood levels and successful imaging is not fully established. The agent works by distributing to specific tissues — brain gray matter, white blood cells, or organs like the thyroid — where its radioactive signal is captured by an external camera to create diagnostic images. It does not treat or alter disease; it reveals how tissues are functioning at the time of the scan.

    🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

    After IV injection of Ceretec (Tc-99m exametazime), the compound is rapidly cleared from the blood. Brain uptake peaks within one minute, reaching 3.5–7% of the injected dose, and most of what stays in the brain remains there for up to 24 hours (decaying naturally). When used to label white blood cells, the tracer is seen in the lungs, liver, spleen, bone marrow, kidneys, and bladder in the first hour, then shifts more toward the bone marrow and bowel over time. The body clears the agent through two main routes: about 40% is excreted in urine over 48 hours, and about 50% of the portion that reaches the gut is passed through the intestinal tract over the same period.

    📦How to store it▾

    Store Ceretec kits at controlled room temperature 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Store and dispose of technetium Tc 99m exametazime in compliance with the regulations of the government agency authorized to license the use of this radionuclide.

    📄 Written from Technetium Tc-99M’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

    🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

    Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Technetium Tc-99M — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

    Is Technetium Tc-99m a medicine that treats my condition? ▾
    No — it's actually a radioactive tracer used for imaging, not treatment. It helps doctors see what's happening inside your body by showing up on a special camera. Think of it as a way to get a detailed picture of how your organs or tissues are working, so your doctor can make better decisions about your care.
    Should I be worried about the radiation from this scan? ▾
    It's a fair concern, and your care team takes it seriously. The amount of radiation used is carefully chosen to be the lowest amount needed to get a useful image. That said, any radiation does add to your lifetime exposure, which carries a small long-term cancer risk. To help your body clear the radioactive material faster, you'll be asked to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often after the procedure. Children do face a somewhat higher risk from radiation than adults, so this is especially weighed carefully in younger patients.
    What should I do after the scan to protect myself? ▾
    The most important thing is to drink a lot of fluids and use the restroom frequently after your scan. This helps flush the radioactive material out of your kidneys and bladder more quickly, reducing your radiation exposure. Your care team will give you specific instructions before you leave.
    Can I breastfeed after receiving this injection? ▾
    If you received Ceretec, you'll need to temporarily stop breastfeeding. You should pump and throw away your breast milk for 12 to 24 hours after the injection to make sure your baby isn't exposed to radiation through your milk. After that window, breastfeeding can resume. Make sure to tell your doctor you're breastfeeding before the procedure so they can plan accordingly.
    Are there any side effects I should watch for? ▾
    Most people feel fine after the scan. The most commonly reported effect with Ceretec is a temporary rise in blood pressure. Some people also experience nausea, flushing, headache, or dizziness. Rarely, a serious allergic reaction can occur — signs include facial swelling, rash, hives, or trouble breathing. The medical team will be watching you during the procedure and has emergency equipment available just in case. If you feel unwell at any point during or after the scan, let your care team know right away.
    I'm pregnant — is it safe to have this scan? ▾
    This is something to discuss honestly with your doctor before the procedure. Technetium Tc-99m does cross the placenta and can expose your baby to radiation, which carries some risk depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. That said, there are situations where the information the scan provides is important enough that your doctor may recommend going ahead. Your care team will walk you through the specific risks and benefits for your situation so you can make an informed decision together.
    Is Technetium Tc-99M available over the counter? ▾
    Technetium Tc-99M is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
    When was Technetium Tc-99M first available? ▾
    Technetium Tc-99M has been available in the United States since at least 1973, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
    Who makes Technetium Tc-99M? ▾
    Technetium Tc-99M is supplied by 3 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Curium US LLC, Medi-Physics Inc. dba GE Healthcare., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc..

    💬 Answers drafted from Technetium Tc-99M’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

    🧰 Keep exploring

    🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerTechnetium Tc-99M vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Technetium Tc-99M NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

    💊 How Technetium Tc-99M comes

    Technetium Tc-99M is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

    Injection

    Into a vein
    Brands Ceretec Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi Ultra-Technekow
    How this form is used
    What it may be used for
    • Ceretec is used to help locate intraabdominal infections and inflammatory bowel disease by labeling white blood cells with the radioactive tracer
    • Ceretec is used to detect areas of reduced blood flow in the brain after a stroke (cerebral scintigraphy)
    • Ultra-Technekow provides Tc-99m used for thyroid imaging, salivary gland imaging, nasolacrimal drainage system imaging, and urinary bladder imaging in adults
    • Ultra-Technekow provides Tc-99m used for thyroid imaging and urinary bladder imaging in pediatric patients
    Important instructions
    • Ceretec is given as an intravenous injection; for leukocyte labeling, it must be administered as soon as possible after preparation — preferably within 20 minutes and no later than 1 hour
    • Ceretec for cerebral scintigraphy is given by intravenous injection; imaging is performed 30–90 minutes after administration and completed within 4 hours
    • Ultra-Technekow sodium pertechnetate Tc-99m is given by intravenous injection for most uses, but is instilled directly into the bladder via catheter for urinary bladder imaging and placed in the eye area for nasolacrimal drainage imaging
    • After receiving any Tc-99m product, drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently to help reduce radiation exposure to the kidneys and bladder
    Available strengths 28 strengths
    0.5 mg/5 mL 1 mg/10 mL 1 Ci 1.5 Ci 2 Ci 2.5 Ci
    Show 22 more strengths Show fewer strengths
    3 Ci 3.5 Ci 5 Ci 6 Ci 7.5 Ci 11 Ci 14 Ci 16 Ci 19 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 1 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 1.5 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 2 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 2.5 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 3 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 3.5 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 5 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 6 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 7.5 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 11 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 14 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 16 Ci TECHNETIUM TC-99M SODIUM PERTECHNETATE 19 Ci
    29 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

    📊 Technetium Tc-99M across the U.S. market

    How Technetium Tc-99M appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

    1
    Dose forms ⓘ
    3
    Manufacturers
    4
    Brand names
    29
    FDA-listed product records ⓘ
    1973
    First marketed ⓘ
    Curium US LLC90%
    Medi-Physics Inc. dba GE Healthcare.7%
    Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.3%

    Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

    📈 How widely Technetium Tc-99M is used

    A general measure of how commonly Technetium Tc-99M is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q3–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

    Think of this as a proxy for how widely Technetium Tc-99M is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

    1,823
    Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q3–Q4 2025)
    $545,054 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

    How commonly is Technetium Tc-99M prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Technetium Tc-99M ranks #1,199 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 25% of them.

    Where Technetium Tc-99M ranks among the drugs we measure · Q3–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
    Total prescriptions — #1,199 of 1,596
    #1,194 Oxazepam 1,962 Rx #1,195 Alectinib 1,945 Rx #1,196 Fenoprofen 1,943 Rx #1,197 Ganciclovir Ophthalmic 1,891 Rx #1,198 Naftifine Topical 1,859 Rx #1,199 Technetium Tc-99M 1,823 Rx #1,200 Dextrose / Heparin 1,813 Rx #1,201 Mefenamic Acid 1,776 Rx #1,202 Rotigotine Transdermal... 1,775 Rx #1,203 Ceftazidime and Avibac... 1,753 Rx #1,204 Hydrocodone 1,748 Rx

    Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Technetium Tc-99M, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 4 of 33 listed Technetium Tc-99M NDCs with Medicaid activity.

    🔍 Compare Technetium Tc-99M products

    A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Technetium Tc-99M — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

    Showing 29 of 29 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 29 Technetium Tc-99M NDCs →

    🏷️ Sold under these brand names

    Ultra-Technekow Ultra-Technekow V4 Ceretec Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi

    🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

    Curium US LLC 26 Medi-Physics Inc. dba GE Healthcare. 2 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 1

    🔬 Where this comes from

    Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

    📄
    FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Oct 16, 2024
    🏭
    Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Technetium Tc-99M.
    📈
    Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
    🚨
    Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
    🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Technetium Tc-99M after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
    Clinical labels in scope
    2
    NDC products indexed
    29
    Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
    3
    Linked representative label ⓘ
    Curium US LLC
    Linked label effective
    Oct 16, 2024
    Composite sections available
    23
    Linked SPL Set ID
    98947d99-5be5-461e-ad36-7425d3646389
    Linked SPL Document ID
    249a6bf5-7d15-3b75-e063-6394a90af09f
    Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

    How we combine label and product data

    HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 2 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

    For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Curium US LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

    This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.