A pharmaceutical containing a radionuclide, with uptake and clearance chosen for imaging or treatment. Biological targeting and radioactive decay jointly determine its useful signal and tissue dose.
Radiopharmaceuticals are specialized drugs that contain radioactive isotopes and are used primarily in medical imaging and therapy. They are designed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, particularly in nuclear medicine. ### Key characteristics: 1. **Radioactive Isotopes**: Radiopharmaceuticals consist of a radionuclide (radioactive isotope) attached to a pharmaceutical component, which can target specific organs, tissues, or cellular receptors in the body.
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