Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Pentetate Calcium Trisodium (PENTETATE CALCIUM TRISODIUM)

Pentetate Calcium Trisodium works by binding to radioactive ions, such as Americium, Curium, and Plutonium, to facilitate their excretion from the body.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Ca-DTPA forms stable chelates with metal ions by exchanging calcium for metal of greater binding capacity. The radioactive chelates are then excreted by glomerular filtration into the urine. In animal studies, Ca-DTPA forms less stable chelates with uranium and neptunium in vivo resulting in the deposition of these elements in tissues including the bone. Ca-DTPA treatments are not expected to be effective for uranium and neptunium. Radioactive iodine is not bound by DTPA.

Approved indications

• Exposure to Americium Radiation
• Exposure to Curium Radiation
• Exposure to Plutonium Radiation

Boxed warnings

• WARNING: ASTHMA EXACERBATION WITH NEBULIZATION and DEPLETION OF TRACE METALS DURING THERAPY Nebulized Ca-DTPA may be associated with asthma exacerbation. ( 5.1 ) Ca-DTPA is associated with depletion of trace metals such as zinc. The magnitude of depletion increases with split daily dosing, with increasing dose and with increased treatment duration. Only a single dose of Ca-DTPA is recommended. Use Zn-DTPA if additional chelation therapy is indicated. Monitor serum zinc levels, serum creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, urinalysis and blood cell counts during Ca-DTPA or Zn-DTPA therapy. ( 2.4 , 5.2 ) WARNING: ASTHMA EXACERBATION WITH NEBULIZATION and DEPLETION OF TRACE METALS DURING THERAPY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Nebulized Ca-DTPA may be associated with asthma exacerbation. ( 5.1 ) Ca-DTPA is associated with depletion of trace metals such as zinc. The magnitude of depletion increases with split daily dosing, with increasing dose and with increased treatment duration. Only a single dose of Ca-DTPA is recommended. Use Zn-DTPA if additional chelation therapy is indicated. Monitor serum zinc levels, serum creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, urinalysis and blood cell counts during Ca-DTPA or Zn-DTPA therapy. ( 2.4 , 5.2 )

Common side effects

• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Allergic reaction
• Dermatitis
• Metallic taste
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Injection site reactions
• Cough
• Wheezing

Key clinical trials

• Testing the Safety of the Anti-cancer Drug, Sn-117m-DTPA, for Advanced Cancers That Have Spread to Bones (PHASE1)
• Treatment of Cancer-Related Bone Pain by Using Bone-Targeted Radiation-Based Therapy (Sn-117m-DTPA) in Patients With Prostate Cancer That Has Spread to Bones (PHASE2)
• Advanced Diffusion Imaging in Renal Cancer Patients (NA)
• Yttrium-90-labeled Daclizumab With Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Hodgkin's Lymphoma (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• SPECT/CT in Measuring Lung Function in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy (NA)
• Effects of IV-Administered Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA To Treat Patients With Gadolinium Deposition Disease (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• Anti-Tac(90 Y-HAT) to Treat Hodgkin's Disease, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Lymphoid Leukemia (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• Nuclear Imaging of Human CSF Flow Using Ga-67 Citrate and In-111 DTPA (PHASE1)

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

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