Rubidium Chloride Rb 82 and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Information in this record refers to the use of rubidium chloride Rb 82 as a diagnostic agent. No information is available on the use of rubidium chloride Rb 82 during breastfeeding. The manufacturer recommends withholding breastfeeding for 1 hour after a diagnostic dose of rubidium chloride Rb 82.This length of time is greater than 10 half-lives of the radioisotope, so the nursing infant should not be exposed to radiation if this guideline is followed. The mother can nurse just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical. If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[1,2] Other authorities state that no discontinuation of breastfeeding is necessary.[3]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Rb 82 decays by positron emission with a physical half-life of 1.27 minutes.[3]

Effects in breastfed infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

References

1. Burkhart M, Cockerham A, Cook J, et al. NUREG-1556, Volume 9, Revision 3. Consolidated guidance about materials licenses. Program-specific guidance about medical use licenses. US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards 2019. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1556/v9/r2/
2. Mountford PJ, Coakley AJ. A review of the secretion of radioactivity in human breast milk: Data, quantitative analysis and recommendations. Nucl Med Commun 1989;10:15-27.2645546 PubMed
3. Dilsizian V, Metter D, Palestro C, Zanzonico P. Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) Sub-Committee on Nursing Mother Guidelines for the Medical Administration of Radioactive Material. Final report submitted: January 31, 2019. 2019. https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1903/ML19038A498.pdf