How to prepare for a Carbon-14 breath test
UHN
Information for patients
This information will help you prepare for your Carbon-14 Breath Test.
Reading this brochure will help you learn:
• What a Carbon-14 breath test is
Patient Education
Improving health through education
• How to prepare for it
• What will happen during the test
• What to expect after the test
Your Carbon-14 breath test has been scheduled for:
Date: _______________________________________
Time:_______________________________________
Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca
© 2016 University Health Network. All rights reserved.
This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these
materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.
Author: JDMI Nuclear Medicine
Revised: 02/2016
Form: D-3352
C034-D
What is a Carbon-14 breath test?
A Carbon-14 breath test helps a doctor tell whether or not you have Helicobacter pylori in your
stomach. Helicobacter pylori is a kind of bacteria that can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers.
A Carbon-14 breath test is one kind of a nuclear medicine test. For the test, you will drink
a small amount of a radiopharmaceutical called C-14. You will also give breath samples. A
radiopharmaceutical is a special material that is radioactive or gives off energy.
There are no known side effects from the test.
How do I prepare for my Carbon-14 breath test?
Stop taking these medicines before your test:
Purpose
Medicine Names
Kills germs in your body
Controls/stops diarrhea
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Reduces gastric acid
Gastroduodenal
Cytoprotective Agents
Antibiotics
Pepto Bismol
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Prevacid (lansoprazole)
Losec (omeprazole)
Pantoloc (pantoprazole)
Nexium (esomeprazole)
Tecta
Maleate
Pariet (rebeprazole)
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
• Sulcralfate (Sulcrate,
Carafate)
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When to stop taking the
medicine
30 days before the appointment
30 days before the appointment
14 days before the appointment
14 days before the appointment
You can take these medicines if you need to before the test:
Purpose
Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonist
Antacids
Gatrointestinal Calcium Antagonist
Medicine Names
• Rantidine, Zantac
• NuRanit
• Pepcid
• Tagamet
• Axid
• Maalox
• Dioval
• Mylanta
• Riopan
• Milk of Magnesia
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Rexodon
• Tums
• Dicetel
Other things to remember:
• Do not have anything to eat or drink, including water, 6 hours before your
appointment. This is because we may get false negative results from the test. Your test will
be rebooked if you have had food or drink within 6 hours before the appointment.
• Bring a toothbrush that you can throw away. We will give you toothpaste to use or you
can bring your own toothpaste if you want. If you forget your toothbrush, we have them
available for sale.
• Bring your health card (OHIP) to your appointment.
• Check in at the Medical Imaging reception area 15 minutes before your appointment.
The Medical Imaging reception desk is near the University Ave. entrance, across from the
pharmacy.
• Make sure you know where to go for your test. At Toronto General Hospital, the Nuclear
Medicine department is located on the first floor, ES1-408, near the east elevators.
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For female patients
Tell the technologist before you begin the test if you think you could
be pregnant.
What will happen during my test?
1. You will brush your teeth very well with toothpaste.
2. The technologist will then give you a small amount of radioactive C-14 to drink.
3. You will brush your teeth again. This time, you will brush them without toothpaste.
4. You will then give a breath sample 12 minutes after the drink.
5. At the end of the test the technologist will throw away your toothbrush. It will still
have a little C-14 on it.
What can I expect after my test?
You should feel normal. There are no known side effects from the test. You may go back to your
normal activities once the test is finished. The technologist will send a report with the results of
your test to your doctor.
Contact the Toronto General Hospital Nuclear Medicine
department at 416-340-3311 if:
• you have any questions
• you need to cancel your appointment
• you need to reschedule your appointment
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