Metastron is a radioactive injection of Strontium.
It gets taken up in all areas where bones are absorbing extra calcium and causing pain. It then stays there for many weeks providing steady pain relief.
Metastron often provides relief of pain but not for everyone. At first you will feel no effect at all. There may be a slight increase in pain during the two or three days after the injection. This is normal, and you may need to increase your dose of painkillers until this decreases. After about two weeks, sometimes longer, the pain should ease. This effect should last for several months.
You can sometimes experience a change in taste or slight nausea after the injection. Metastron will have no effect on your ability to drive or to use machinery. You can eat and drink normally and there is no need to avoid alcohol unless you have been advised to do so. There may be a slight fall in the number of cells in your blood and your doctor will want to carry out routine blood tests. This is quite normal.
Your doctor may advise you to continue taking your painkillers until the pain starts to ease. He/she may suggest you start to reduce the dose gradually and eventually you may not need painkillers at all.
Your doctor will advise on what other treatments you should take. You may have been receiving hormone injections or tablets and your doctor may wish you to continue with these.
We will give you a small card to carry in your wallet or bag, which gives a contact telephone number for the Nuclear Medicine Department. If you get admitted to hospital before the date shown on the card you should show this card to the staff looking after you.
Metastron does not cause harm to any other people through bodily contact. During the first week after the injection, Metastron will be present in blood and urine. It is important that you should carry out the precautions listed below:
For most patients there are no restrictions about contact with children. However, there may be individual patients who should avoid cuddling children on their lap for at least 9 days after the treatment, for example those patients who are fitted with a catheter or those who cannot control their bladder (urinary incontinence).
Female patients should avoid pregnancy for 24 months after treatment. You should also stop breast-feeding.
Male patients should avoid fathering a child for 4 months after your treatment.
We do a quick check after the injection to make sure it is circulating around your body in your blood stream. This is done by moving a special monitor, which detects radiation, over your body. It should only take a couple of minutes and will not cause you any pain.
If your pain returns you should contact your doctor. He/she may decide to give you another Metastron injection if this is the most appropriate treatment. This cannot be repeated within 3 months of your previous injection.
You will have a follow-up appointment arranged with your Consultant after the injection.
We hope you have found this information booklet helpful. If you wish to ask any questions or seek further information, then you can phone the Department of Nuclear Medicine on 029 2031 6237.
This leaflet was written by health professionals. The information contained in this leaflet is evidence based. It is reviewed and updated every 2 years.