Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Vizamyl (FLUTEMETAMOL)

Vizamyl works by binding to amyloid plaques in the brain, allowing for visualization through positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

Vizamyl (flutemetamol) is a radioactive diagnostic agent used to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other causes of cognitive decline. It is a small molecule developed by GE Healthcare and approved by the FDA in 2013. Vizamyl is used to visualize amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The commercial status of Vizamyl is patented, and it is not yet available as a generic product. Key safety considerations include radiation exposure and potential allergic reactions.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Flutemetamol F 18 binds to amyloid beta plaques in the brain and the F 18 isotope produces a positron signal that is detected by a PET scanner. In in vitro binding studies using postmortem human brain homogenates containing fibrillar amyloid beta, the dissociation constant (Kd) for flutemetamol was 6.7 nM. Selectivity of 3 H-flutemetamol binding in postmortem human brain sections was demonstrated using autoradiography, silver-stained protein, and immunohistochemistry (monoclonal antibody to amyloid beta) correlation studies.

Approved indications

• Alzheimer's disease
• other causes of cognitive decline
• Alzheimer's disease
• other causes of cognitive decline

Common side effects

• Flushing
• Increased blood pressure
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Anaphylactic reactions

Key clinical trials

• Generation of Synthetic [18F]FDG PET From Early-Phase Amyloid PET in Alzheimer's Disease
• Head-to-Head Harmonization of Tau Tracers in Alzheimer's Disease (PHASE1)
• Parametric Cardiac 18F-flutemetamol PET Imaging in ATTR Cardiomyopathy (PHASE1)
• Activity of Cerebral Networks, Amyloid and Microglia in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
• Amyloid-β Clearance Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease
• Ultralow Dose PET Imaging of 18F-Florbetapir, 18F-Flutemetamol (PHASE2)
• Study of the Indications for Amyloid Positon Emission Tomography (PET) Scans and Their Usefulness for Patients With Suspected Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
• Brain Characterization of Amyloid Protein and Glucose Metabolism of ALFA Project Participants

Patents

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.