Lutetium (Lu-177) Therapy

Safety instructions before your treatment

This handout explains how to prepare for your Lutetium (Lu-177) therapy, and the safety precautions you need to follow afterwards.

About lutetium therapy

Lutetium (Lu-177) therapy uses a small amount of radioactive material to target cancer cells.

After this treatment, a small amount of radiation will stay in your body for a short time. To reduce radiation exposure to other people—including your family and the public—you need to follow special safety precautions for several days after each treatment.

Before your treatment

Meet the team

Before your treatment, you will have an appointment with the Nuclear Medicine Care Team. You will learn about:

• lutetium therapy
• why it’s recommended for you
• risks
• safety precautions after treatment

It can help to bring a family member, friend, or caregiver to your appointment. They can help you remember information, ask questions, and provide support.

Make plans for after your treatment

Before your treatment, arrange to follow the safety precautions after treatment.

You may need to:

• Limit close contact with others for several days.
• Sleep in a bed by yourself.
• Limit contact with children and pregnant people.
• Use a bathroom where you can follow the safety instructions.
• Take 7 days off work or school.
• Arrange approved transportation to and from your appointments.

To limit close contact with others, you may need to reschedule other appointments such as:

• home care visits
• non-urgent medical appointments
• recreational activities
• visits with friends and family

Talk with your doctor about medicines

Talk with your doctor about:

• medicines you need to take before your treatment
• any medicines you may need to stop taking before your treatment

Get your blood tests done

You need to go to a lab to do blood tests before each appointment. Follow the instructions for doing your blood tests.

Your treatment could be delayed or cancelled if your blood tests aren’t done correctly or on time.

Share your advance care plan

Make sure your doctor has a copy of your advance care plan. It lets others know your healthcare wishes if you become unable to speak for yourself. It’s a good thing to have before any type of procedure.

If you don’t have one, you may want to make one.

Plan your transportation

Because of the radiation, you cannot travel to or from your treatments on public transportation like a bus or train. You will need a plan for transportation that is approved by the Radiation Safety Officer.

You can drive yourself unless your healthcare team advises otherwise.

Preparing for treatment

Weeks before treatment

Do the pre-treatment blood tests in the time your healthcare team directed. You may also need to do other blood tests ordered by your cancer healthcare team or other healthcare providers.

The day before treatment

Drink 2 litres of fluids to be well hydrated.

The day of treatment

You can eat what you normally eat. You may wish to bring a meal or snacks to your appointment because some treatments can take several hours.

Bring photo ID to your appointment, like your driver’s licence or passport.

Keep taking your regular medicines as prescribed, unless your doctor told you otherwise.

If your doctor prescribed medicine for you to take before your treatment:

• Take the medicine as directed.
• Make a note of the medicine name, dose, and time you took it. The Nuclear Medicine Care Team will ask you for this information.

If you don’t take your pre-treatment medicines as instructed, your appointment may be postponed.

During your treatment

A small tube will be placed in a vein (I.V.) to give you the radioactive therapy and any medicines you may need.

A nurse or technologist will make sure you are stable and comfortable. Tell them how you’re feeling and let them know if you have any questions or concerns.

After your treatment

A member of your healthcare team will let you know when it’s OK to leave. For the safety of others, you need to leave the building right away and start following the radiation safety instructions.

For the first 48 hours after each treatment, keep drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated.

If needed, your healthcare team may book you for a scan on the day after your treatment.

When to call your healthcare team

Call your healthcare team if:

• Your living situation changes, including changes to where you live, whether you have access to a separate bedroom and bathroom, or changes to who lives with you.
• You are no longer able to follow these instructions.
• You have questions or concerns.
• You don’t understand how to prepare for your treatment.
• You get sick before the treatment (for example, you have a fever, flu, or a cold).

To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_di_lu_177_therapy_pc.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: August 27, 2026

Author: Diagnostic Imaging, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.