A SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT METHOD TO REMOVE FREE RADIOIODIDE FROM ASTERISK-I-RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

Removal of free radioiodide from I-radiopharmaceuticals was easily pe rformed by using a pure metallic silver membrane, placed in a screwabl e holder. Well-known radiopharmaceuticals such as 3-iodobenzyl guanidi ne, Hippuran, iomazenil and fatty acids were treated successfully, and gave reproducible results. Only a trace of free radioiodide (less tha n or equal to 1%) was left after passing the silver membrane, while re st activity due to retention of the radiopharmaceutical on the membran e was negligible (2%-5%). This simple and reliable method offers the p ossibility of application as a last purification step in routine produ ctions, in research or in a nuclear medicine department's pharmacy.