In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pentetate calcium trisodium, the following should be considered:

Allergies? Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pentetate calcium trisodium. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy? Pentetate calcium trisodium has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that pentetate calcium trisodium causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding? It is not known if pentetate calcium trisodium passes into breast milk. However, women with known exposure to harmful substances should not breast feed, whether or not they are receiving pentetate calcium trisodium.

Children? Although there is no specific information comparing use of pentetate calcium trisodium in children with use in other age groups, this medicine when given by injection is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults? Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of pentetate calcium trisodium in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medical problems? The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pentetate calcium trisodium. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma? May be worsened by pentetate calcium trisodium given by inhalation.
• Hemochromatosis (iron disorder)? May increase the chance for serious side effects.
• Kidney disease? May lower the rate at which the harmful substances can be removed. Dialysis may be needed to increase removal of these harmful substances.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or bladder cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence unknown

Chest pain; cough; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; hives; itching; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; shortness of breath; skin rash; tightness in chest; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

Incidence unknown

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site; blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of skin; cracked, dry, scaly skin; diarrhea; headache; lightheadedness; metallic taste; nausea; swelling

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.