title: Arginine/lysine
text: # Arginine/lysine
  
  Arginine/lysine, sold under the brand name LysaKare, is a fixed-dose combination medication used to protect the kidneys from radiation damage during cancer treatment with a radioactive medicine called lutetium $(^{177}Lu)$ oxodotreotide. It contains L-arginine hydrochloride and L-lysine hydrochloride.
  
  The most common side effects include nausea and vomiting. Arginine/lysine is also associated with hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels), but the frequency of this side effect is not known. Side effects with arginine/lysine are usually mild or moderate.
  
  Radiation from lutetium $(^{177}Lu)$ oxodotreotide can cause damage when the medicine passes through tubules in the kidney. Arginine and lysine interfere with the passage of lutetium $(^{177}Lu)$ oxodotreotide through these kidney tubules. As a result, the radioactive medicine leaves the body in the urine and the kidneys are exposed to less radiation.
  
  Arginine/lysine was approved for medical use in the European Union in July 2019.
  
  ## Medical uses
  
  Arginine/lysine is indicated for reduction of renal radiation exposure during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with lutetium $(^{177}Lu)$ oxodotreotide in adults.
  
  