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Ammonia
Ammonia N-13 · Injection
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Radioactive Diagnostic Agent [EPC] | EPC | All 16 members |
| Radiopharmaceutical Activity [MoA] | MoA | All 17 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 203700-001 | AMMONIA N 13 | INJECTABLE | AMMONIA N-13 | Prescription | AP |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (parenteral aqueous solutions)
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original application | 1 | Approved | February 25, 2013 | — |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260107). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP is indicated for diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the myocardium under rest or pharmacologic stress conditions to evaluate myocardial perfusion in patients with suspected or existing coronary artery disease. Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP is a radioactive diagnostic agent for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) indicated for diagnostic PET imaging of the myocardium under rest or pharmacologic stress conditions to evaluate myocardial perfusion in patients with suspected or existing coronary artery disease ( 1 ).
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Rest Imaging Study ( 2.1 ): Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) as a bolus through a catheter inserted into a large peripheral vein. Start imaging 3 minutes after the injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes. Stress Imaging Study ( 2.2 ): If a rest imaging study is performed, begin the stress imaging study 40 minutes or more after the first Ammonia N13 injection to allow sufficient isotope decay. Administer a pharmacologic stress-inducing drug in accordance with its labeling. Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) of Ammonia N 13 Injection as a bolus at 8 minutes after the administration of the pharmacologic stress-inducing drug. Start imaging 3 minutes after the Ammonia N 13 Injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes. Patient Preparation ( 2.3 ): To increase renal clearance of radioactivity and to minimize radiation dose to the bladder, hydrate the patient before the procedure and encourage voiding as soon as each image acquisition is completed and as often as possible thereafter for at least one hour. 2.1 Rest Imaging Study Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) as a bolus through a catheter inserted into a large peripheral vein. Start imaging 3 minutes after the injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes. 2.2 Stress Imaging Study If a rest imaging study is performed, begin the stress imaging study 40 minutes or more after the first Ammonia N 13 injection to allow sufficient isotope decay. Administer a pharmacologic stress-inducing drug in accordance with its labeling. Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) of Ammonia N 13 Injection as a bolus at 8 minutes after the administration of the pharmacologic stress-inducing drug. Start imaging 3 minutes after the Ammonia N 13 Injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes. 2.3 Patient Preparation To increase renal clearance of radioactivity and to minimize radiation dose to the bladder, ensure that the patient is well hydrated before the procedure and encourage voiding as soon as a study is completed and as often as possible thereafter for at least one hour. 2.4 Radiation Dosimetry The converted radiation absorbed doses in rem/mCi are shown in Table 1. These estimates are calculated from the Task Group of Committee 2 of the International Commission on Radiation Protection. 1 Table 1: N 13 Absorbed Radiation Dose Per Unit Activity (rem/mCi) for Adults and Pediatric Groups. Organ Age (Years) Adult 15 10 5 1 Adrenals 0.0085 0.0096 0.016 0.025 0.048 Bladder wall 0.030 0.037 0.056 0.089 0.17 Bone surfaces 0.0059 0.0070 0.011 0.019 0.037 Brain 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.027 Breast 0.0067 0.0067 0.010 0.017 0.033 Stomach wall 0.0063 0.0078 0.012 0.019 0.037 Small intestine 0.0067 0.0081 00013 0.021 0.041 * ULI 0.0067 0.0078 0.013 0.021 0.037 ** LLI 0.0070 0.0078 0.013 0.020 0.037 Heart 0.0078 0.0096 0.015 0.023 0.041 Kidneys 0.017 0.021 0.031 0.048 0.089 Liver 0.015 0.018 0.029 0.044 0.085 Lungs 0.0093 0.011 0.018 0.029 0.056 Ovaries 0.0063 0.0085 0.014 0.021 0.041 Pancreas 0.0070 0.0085 0.014 0.021 0.041 Red marrow 0.0063 0.0078 0.012 0.020 0.037 Spleen 0.0093 0.011 0.019 0.030 0.056 Testes 0.0067 0.0070 0.011 0.018 0.035 Thyroid 0.0063 0.0081 0.013 0.021 0.041 Uterus 0.0070 0.0089 0.014 0.023 0.041 Other tissues 0.0059 0.0070 0.011 0.018 0.035 *Upper large intestine, **Lower large intestine 2.5 Drug Handling Inspect Ammonia N 13 Injection visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer Ammonia N 13 Injection containing particulate matter or discoloration; dispose of these unacceptable or unused preparations in a safe manner, in compliance with appl …
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Glass vial (30 mL) containing 0.14-9.62 GBq (3.75-260 mCi/mL) of Ammonia N 13 Injection in aqueous 0.9 % sodium chloride solution (approximately 5 mL volume) that is suitable for intravenous administration. Glass vial (30 mL) containing 0.14-9.62 GBq (3.75-260 mCi/mL) of Ammonia N 13 Injection in aqueous 0.9 % sodium chloride solution (approximately 5 mL volume) that is suitable for intravenous administration.
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None ( 4 )
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Ammonia N 13 Injection may increase the risk of cancer. Use the smallest dose necessary for imaging and ensure safe handling to protect the patient and health care worker ( 5 ). 5.1 Radiation Risks Ammonia N 13 Injection may increase the risk of cancer. Use the smallest dose necessary for imaging and ensure safe handling to protect the patient and health care worker [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] .
5.1 Radiation Risks Ammonia N 13 Injection may increase the risk of cancer. Use the smallest dose necessary for imaging and ensure safe handling to protect the patient and health care worker [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] .
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS No adverse reactions have been reported for Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP based on a review of the published literature, publicly available reference sources, and adverse drug reaction reporting systems. However, the completeness of these sources is not known. No adverse reactions have been reported for Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP based on a review of the published literature, publicly available reference sources, and adverse drug reaction reporting system ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cardinal Health at 1-800-618-2768 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS The possibility of interactions of Ammonia N 13 Injection with other drugs taken by patients undergoing PET imaging has not been studied. The possibility of interactions of Ammonia N 13 Injection with other drugs taken by patients undergoing PET imaging has not been studied.
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Alternatives to breastfeeding (e.g. using stored breast milk or infant formula) should be used for 2 hours (>10 half-lives of radioactive decay for N 13 isotope) after administration of Ammonia N 13 Injection ( 8.3 ). The safety and effectiveness of Ammonia N 13 Injection has been established in pediatric patients ( 8.4 ). 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Ammonia N 13 Injection. It is also not known whether Ammonia N 13 Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Ammonia N 13 Injection should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. 8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for radiation exposure to nursing infants from Ammonia N 13 Injection, use alternative infant nutrition sources (e.g. stored breast milk or infant formula) for 2 hours (>10 half-lives of radioactive decay for N 13 isotope) after administration of the drug or avoid use of the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Ammonia N 13 Injection has been established in pediatric patients based on known metabolism of ammonia, radiation dosimetry in the pediatric population, and clinical studies in adults [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Ammonia N 13 Injection. It is also not known whether Ammonia N 13 Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Ammonia N 13 Injection should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for radiation exposure to nursing infants from Ammonia N 13 Injection, use alternative infant nutrition sources (e.g. stored breast milk or infant formula) for 2 hours (>10 half-lives of radioactive decay for N 13 isotope) after administration of the drug or avoid use of the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Ammonia N 13 Injection has been established in pediatric patients based on known metabolism of ammonia, radiation dosimetry in the pediatric population, and clinical studies in adults [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP is a radiolabeled analog of ammonia that is distributed to all organs of the body after intravenous administration. It is extracted from the blood in the coronary capillaries into the myocardial cells where it is metabolized to glutamine N-13 and retained in the cells. The presence of ammonia N-13 and glutamine N-13 in the myocardium allows for PET imaging of the myocardium.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION 11.1 Chemical Characteristics Ammonia N 13 Injection is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical that is used for diagnostic purposes in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The active ingredient, [ 13 N] ammonia, has the molecular formula of 13 NH 3 with a molecular weight of 16.02, and has the following chemical structure: Ammonia N 13 Injection is provided as a ready to use sterile, pyrogen-free, clear and colorless solution. Each mL of the solution contains between 0.14-9.62 GBq (3.75-260 mCi) of [ 13 N] ammonia, at the end of synthesis (EOS) reference time, in 0.9% aqueous sodium chloride. The pH of the solution is between 4.5 to 7.5. The recommended dose of radioactivity (10-20 mCi) is associated with a theoretical mass dose of 0.5-1.0 picomoles (8.47-16.94 picograms) of ammonia. Chemical Structure 11.2 Physical Characteristics Nitrogen N13 decays by emitting positron to Carbon C13 (stable) and has a physical half-life of 9.96 minutes. The principal photons useful for imaging are the dual 511 keV gamma photons that are produced and emitted simultaneously in opposite direction when the positron interacts with an electron (Table 2). Table 2: Principal Radiation Emission Data for Nitrogen 13 Radiation/Emission % per Disintegration Mean Energy * Produced by positron annihilation Positron (β+) 100 1190 keV (Max.) Gamma (±) * 200 511.0 keV The specific gamma ray constant (point source air kerma coefficient) for nitrogen N13 is 5.9 R/hr/mCi (1.39 x 10 -6 Gy/hr/kBq) at 1 cm. The half-value layer (HVL) of lead (Pb) for 511 keV photons is 4 mm. Selected coefficients of attenuation are listed in Table 3 as a function of lead shield thickness. For example, the use of 39 mm thickness of lead will attenuate the external radiation by a factor of about 1000. Table 3:Radiation Attenuation of 511 keV Photons by Lead (Pb) Shielding Shield Thickness (Pb) mm Coefficient of Attenuation 0 0.00 4 0.50 8 0.25 13 0.10 26 0.01 39 0.001 52 0.0001 Table 4 lists fractions remaining at selected time intervals from the calibration time. This information may be used to correct for physical decay of the radionuclide. Table 4: Physical Decay Chart for Nitrogen N 13 Minutes Fraction Remaining * calibration time 0 * 1.000 5 0.706 10 0.499 15 0.352 20 0.249 25 0.176 30 0.124
11.1 Chemical Characteristics Ammonia N 13 Injection is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical that is used for diagnostic purposes in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The active ingredient, [ 13 N] ammonia, has the molecular formula of 13 NH 3 with a molecular weight of 16.02, and has the following chemical structure: Ammonia N 13 Injection is provided as a ready to use sterile, pyrogen-free, clear and colorless solution. Each mL of the solution contains between 0.14-9.62 GBq (3.75-260 mCi) of [ 13 N] ammonia, at the end of synthesis (EOS) reference time, in 0.9% aqueous sodium chloride. The pH of the solution is between 4.5 to 7.5. The recommended dose of radioactivity (10-20 mCi) is associated with a theoretical mass dose of 0.5-1.0 picomoles (8.47-16.94 picograms) of ammonia. Chemical Structure
11.2 Physical Characteristics Nitrogen N13 decays by emitting positron to Carbon C13 (stable) and has a physical half-life of 9.96 minutes. The principal photons useful for imaging are the dual 511 keV gamma photons that are produced and emitted simultaneously in opposite direction when the positron interacts with an electron (Table 2). Table 2: Principal Radiation Emission Data for Nitrogen 13 Radiation/Emission % per Disintegration Mean Energy * Produced by positron annihilation Positron (β+) 100 1190 keV (Max.) Gamma (±) * 200 511.0 keV The specific gamma ray constant (point source air kerma coefficient) for nitrogen N13 is 5.9 R/hr/mCi (1.39 x 10 -6 Gy/hr/kBq) at 1 cm. The half-value layer (HVL) of lead (Pb) for 511 keV photons is 4 mm. Selected coefficients of attenuation are listed in Table 3 as a function of lead shiel …
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Ammonia N-13 Injection, USP is packaged in 10 mL multiple dose glass vial containing between 1.11–11.1 GBq (30–300 mCi/mL) of [ 13 N] ammonia, at the end of synthesis (EOS) reference time, in 0.9% sodium chloride injection solution in approximately 8 mL to 10 mL volume. The recommended dose of radioactivity (10-20 mCi) is associated with a theoretical mass dose of 0.5-1.0 picomoles of Ammonia. NDC 65857-200-10 Storage Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). Use the solution within 60 minutes of the End of Synthesis (EOS) calibration.
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: AMMONIA N-13. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76451-013-10 | 76451-013 | 3D Imaging Drug Design and Development LLC | 10 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (76451-013-10) | December 17, 2018 |
| 65857-200-10 | 65857-200 | Cardinal Health 414, LLC | 10 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (65857-200-10) | February 25, 2013 |
| 62072-456-56 | 62072-456 | Kreitchman PET Center | 8 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (62072-456-56) | December 9, 2013 |
| 49609-003-01 | 49609-003 | SOFIE Co. dba SOFIE | 30 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (49609-003-01) | August 4, 2011 |
| 76451-013 | 76451-013 | 3D Imaging Drug Design and Development LLC | — | January 2, 2012 |
| 65857-200 | 65857-200 | Cardinal Health 414, LLC | — | February 25, 2013 |
| 62072-456 | 62072-456 | Kreitchman PET Center | — | December 9, 2013 |
| 49609-003 | 49609-003 | SOFIE Co. dba SOFIE | — | August 4, 2011 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.