Radioactive substances have various pharmaceutical applications, mainly in diagnostic imaging and therapeutic treatments.
Some common applications include:
1. Diagnostic imaging:
Radioisotopes are used as tracers in imaging techniques like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Examples include technetium-99m and fluorine-18.
2. Radiation therapy:
Certain radioisotopes are used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases by delivering targeted radiation to malignant cells or overactive tissue.
Examples include iodine-131 for thyroid cancer treatment and yttrium-90 for liver cancer treatment.
3. Radiopharmaceuticals:
These are drugs that contain radioactive substances and can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
They are carefully formulated, and their quality, safety, and efficacy must be ensured through strict manufacturing and regulatory guidelines.