Medical uses of Radiopharmaceuticals

Mohammad Dar; Mubashir Masoodi; Saeema Farooq

Mohammad Dar University of Kashmir
Mubashir Masoodi University of Kashmir
Saeema Farooq University of Kashmir

Keywords: Radiopharmaceutical, in-vivo, Radionuclide, Radioactive decay, Radioactive emission

Abstract

A radiopharmaceutical is a preparation intended for in-vivo use that contains a radionuclide in the form of a simple salt or a complex. It may exist as a solid, liquid, gas or a pseudo gas. The chemical and physical identity and a form of a radiopharmaceutical are very important because in each case, once administered the radiopharmaceutical is intended to target certain tissues, binding sites, biochemical pathways. A radiopharmaceutical can be used for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes depending on its specific physicochemical and radiation properties. The characteristic of radioactive decay is what makes radioisotopes useful in their medical applications; however, different applications will take advantage of radioactive emissions in different ways. Radioactive materials are regularly used to treat medical conditions, diagnosis pathology, visualize and measure physiological functions, and localize structures and pathways. This review describes both the therapeutic as well as diagnostic uses of radiopharmaceuticals.

Author Biographies

Mohammad Dar, University of Kashmir

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Faculty of Applied Sciences,
University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India

Mubashir Masoodi, University of Kashmir

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Kashmir,
Srinagar, J&K, India

Saeema Farooq, University of Kashmir

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Kashmir,
Srinagar, J&K, India

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