These free B.Pharm notes on radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity cover chapter 15 of Pharmaceutical Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (BP106T), a first-semester subject. Read the key points below, then study the complete chapter PDF. You can browse every chapter in the Pharmaceutical Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry category.
Table of Contents
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Overview of radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity
These notes on radiopharmaceuticals begin with the structure of the nucleus, nuclides, isotopes, isobars, isotones and isomers, and the four nuclear models. They then explain nuclear decay modes, alpha, beta and gamma radiations, units of radioactivity and half-life, followed by diagnostic and medical uses, safe handling, storage and waste disposal, and the applications of I-131, Tc-99m, Co-60 and P-32.
Key points on radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity
- Isotopes are nuclei of the same element with the same proton number Z but a different neutron number N, so their chemical properties are similar.
- One curie is the quantity of a radioactive substance that undergoes 3.7 x 10^10 nuclear changes per second, and one rad equals 100 erg per g.
- Half-life is the time taken for a given amount of a radio-element to decay exactly to half, and it does not change with temperature, pressure or chemical state.
- Alpha rays have the lowest penetrating power, beta rays pass through thin metal sheets, and gamma rays have no charge or mass and penetrate most.
- The three basic rules that reduce radiation dose to a worker are keeping working time short, keeping maximum distance from the source and using shielding such as lead.
Relevance to pharmacy practice
Radiopharmaceuticals are used for diagnostic imaging, thyroid studies and cancer therapy, and pharmacists in nuclear pharmacy prepare and dispense them. Understanding half-life, radiation types, safe handling, storage and AERB guided disposal protects patients, workers and the environment.
Every chapter in this subject builds on the one before it, so do not skip topics that look simple. Definitions, principles, procedures and examples are the parts that examiners return to most often, and a clear understanding here will also make later subjects easier to follow in the coming semesters.
Frequently asked questions on radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity
Why is Tc-99m the most used medical radioisotope?
Tc-99m gives gamma rays of 140.5 keV for imaging bone, kidney and heart and detecting cancer, and its short physical half-life of about 6 hours means the patient receives low radiation.
How is sodium iodide I-131 used to test thyroid function?
Thyroid function is measured as radioactive iodine uptake over 24 hours. Normal uptake is 15 to 45 % of the dose, less than 10 % suggests hypothyroidism and more than 50 % suggests hyperthyroidism.
How is radiopharmaceutical waste disposed of?
Waste is stored for at least 10 half-lives until activity is almost zero, liquid waste at microcurie level may go into sanitary sewers, and needles, syringes and vials go into shielded, labelled, sealed containers.
Quick revision checklist
Use this self-test after reading the chapter on radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity. If you can do all of the following without looking at your notes, you are ready for the exam.
- I can explain: the difference between isotopes, isobars, isotones and isomers
- I can explain: the four nuclear models of the nucleus
- I can explain: properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays
- I can explain: units of radioactivity and half-life
- I can explain: safe handling, storage and disposal of radiopharmaceuticals
Study and exam tips
Start by reading the chapter once for the overall idea, then revise radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity using headings, definitions, principles, reactions and examples. Short-answer questions in the university exam usually ask for definitions, principles, procedures, reactions and uses, so write these in your own words and practise the equations, tables and flow charts that the chapter has.
For wider reading, standard books and open resources such as the NCBI Bookshelf help you confirm terms and see more examples. Revise radiopharmaceuticals and radioactivity again a day later and again a week later, because spaced revision improves long-term memory.
This page is part of the Pharmaceutical Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry series for first-semester B.Pharm students on B.Pharm Guru, where every chapter has a short summary and a full PDF. Bookmark this page and share it with classmates who are preparing for the same exam.
Related notes: 17. EMETICS, 18. HAEMATINICS.
Next: 16. EXPECTORANTS. Back to the Pharmaceutical Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry category.
