Will Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) raise my risk for cancer?

Because Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) is radioactive, there's a slight chance that it can raise your risk for cancer if you're also exposed to [other sources of radioactivity](https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-sources-and-doses) over a long period of time. Please note that your provider only uses a very small amount of Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) before imaging to prevent exposing you to too much radiation. Make sure to drink a lot of water and urinate often before, during, and for a few hours after you've received Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide). This can help to wash any leftover radioactive tracer out of your body. If you're concerned about the safety of Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) or other imaging agents, talk with your provider.

Will Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) interact with my prostate cancer medications?

Before your imaging, let your provider know what other medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Prostate cancer medications that affect your testosterone levels, such as [Lupron Depot (leuprolide)](https://www.goodrx.com/lupron-depot/what-is) or [Firmagon (degarelix)](https://www.goodrx.com/firmagon/what-is), might change how much Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) gets absorbed by the prostate cancer cells. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about interactions with this medication.

Locametz

Q: What is Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)?

Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) is a [radiotracer](https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/nuclear-medicine#pid-991). It's one of the tracers used that can be used with [PET scans](https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/prostate-early-patient.pdf) to help your provider see where the prostate cancer cells are in your body. It's used for males with prostate cancer that has either spread to other organs or has come back after a period of time (recurrence). Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) works by attaching to a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Prostate cancer cells make a lot more of this protein than healthy cells do. By attaching to PSMA, Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) tags these cancer cells. Your provider is then able to see where the cancer cells are.

Gallium GA 68 Gozetotide

Used for Diagnosis

Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) is a radioactive tracer that's used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans for males with certain types of prostate cancer. It helps your provider to determine whether cancer cells have spread from the prostate to other organs, or have come back after a period of time. Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) is injected through the veins (intravenously, or IV) by a healthcare provider before your imaging study. It's available as two different brand-names, Locametz and Illuccix.

Reviewed by:

Ally Tsai, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on October 27, 2022

What is Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)?

What is Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) used for?

PET scans to find cancer cells in:

Men with treatable prostate cancer that might have spread to other organs
Men with a history of prostate cancer that has come back based on high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Men with prostate cancer that might have spread to other organs that is treatable by Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) - Locametz only

Are you looking for information on Pylarify (piflufolastat F 18) or Netspot (gallium Ga 68 dotatate) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Illuccix, Locametz
Drug Class	Diagnostic agent
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Illuccix, Locametz

Drug Class

Diagnostic agent

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Locametz

Locametz is a radiotracer. It's one of the tracers used that can be used with PET scans to help your provider see where the prostate cancer cells are in your body. It's used for males with prostate cancer that has either spread to other organs or has come back after a period of time (recurrence). Locametz works by attaching to a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Prostate cancer cells make a lot more of this protein than healthy cells do. By attaching to PSMA, Locametz tags these cancer cells. Your provider is then able to see where the cancer cells are.

Gallium Ga 68 gozetotide is available as two brand-name products, Locametz and Illuccix. Both tracers are injected into the veins by a healthcare provider on your imaging day. They're typically given an hour or so before the PET scan. Make sure to stay hydrated and urinate frequently before, during, and after receiving gallium Ga 68 gozetotide. Doing so can help to lower the risk of radiation exposure.

Most people experience few to no side effects while using Locametz as directed. Those who did report side effects experienced symptoms such as feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel movement. Some people also noted injection site reactions, such as bruising, chills, and warmth at the injection site. Tell your provider right away if you experience any of these side effects after the injection.

Because Locametz is radioactive, there's a slight chance that it can raise your risk for cancer if you're also exposed to other sources of radioactivity over a long period of time. Please note that your provider only uses a very small amount of Locametz before imaging to prevent exposing you to too much radiation. Make sure to drink a lot of water and urinate often before, during, and for a few hours after you've received Locametz. This can help to wash any leftover radioactive tracer out of your body. If you're concerned about the safety of Locametz or other imaging agents, talk with your provider.

Before you go in for your PET scan, your provider will prepare you with specific instructions to help you get ready for the appointment. As stated in the above FAQ, make sure to drink a lot of water and urinate often before and after your scan to lower your risk of radiation exposure. In addition, avoid exercising for 24 hours before your scan.

Before your imaging, let your provider know what other medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Prostate cancer medications that affect your testosterone levels, such as Lupron Depot (leuprolide) or Firmagon (degarelix), might change how much Locametz gets absorbed by the prostate cancer cells. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about interactions with this medication.

Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) dosage

Typical dosage for Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)

What are alternatives to Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)

Used for:

PET scans to find cancer cells in:

Men with treatable prostate cancer that might have spread to other organs
Men with a history of prostate cancer that has come back based on high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Men with prostate cancer that might have spread to other organs that is treatable by Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) - Locametz only

View prices

Pylarify (piflufolastat F 18)

Used for:

PET scans to find cancer cells in:

Men with treatable prostate cancer that might have spread to other organs
Men with a history of prostate cancer that has come back based on high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

View prices

What is Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)?

What is Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) used for?

Are you looking for information on Pylarify (piflufolastat F 18) or Netspot (gallium Ga 68 dotatate) instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Locametz

What is Locametz?

How is Locametz given?

What are some side effects of Locametz?

Will Locametz raise my risk for cancer?

How should I prepare for my PET scan with Locametz?

Will Locametz interact with my prostate cancer medications?

Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide) dosage

Typical dosage for Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)

What are alternatives to Locametz (gallium Ga 68 gozetotide)?

Common questions about Locametz

What is Locametz?

How is Locametz given?

What are some side effects of Locametz?

Will Locametz raise my risk for cancer?

How should I prepare for my PET scan with Locametz?

Will Locametz interact with my prostate cancer medications?