Tracers / [18F]FDG

[18F]FDG

Also written as 2'-[18F]fluoro-2'-deoxy-D-glucose; 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose; [18F]FDG; [18F]fludeoxyglucose; [18F]fluoro-D-glucose; [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose; [F-18]FDG
Radionuclide
F-18 t½ 109.7 min
Modality
PET
Production route
Cyclotron liquid target
Stage
Approved
Syntheses indexed
164

What it is

Compound class
Small molecule (sugar analogue)
Target / mechanism
Glucose-transporter (GLUT)-mediated uptake and hexokinase phosphorylation with intracellular metabolic trapping (marker of glucose metabolism) PMID 25452219 / DOI 10.1007/s00259-014-2961-x
Clinical application
Oncology staging and response; cardiac viability; neurology; infection and inflammation PMID 25452219 / DOI 10.1007/s00259-014-2961-x; PMID 26060443 / DOI 10.4103/0971-3026.155816
Theranostic pair

Regulatory status

FDA
Yes — 1994; Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection; first approval NDA 020306 (SUNY Downstate Medical Center); now 60+ NDA/ANDA holders Drugs@FDA / openFDA drug registry, NDA 020306, approved 1994-08-19 — https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=BasicSearch.process&searchTerm=fludeoxyglucose
EMA (centralised)
No EMA medicines register — no centrally authorised medicine containing fludeoxyglucose (18F); search: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines?search_api_fulltext=fludeoxyglucose
Other approvals
Not centrally authorised by EMA, but holds national marketing authorisations in multiple EU/EEA member states (national / decentralised / mutual-recognition procedures). Example (official national register): France — MetaTrace FDG, fludeoxyglucose (18F), marketing authorisation active since 27/04/2010, holder Siemens Healthcare GmbH.
Brand names
Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection (USP) — no single proprietary brand; multiple manufacturers

Clinical use

Typical injected activity
Weight- and acquisition-time-based (EANM guideline formula); ~200-400 MBq for a typical 70 kg adult, 300-400 MBq for brain PET, not exceeding 530 MBq PMID 25452219 / DOI 10.1007/s00259-014-2961-x
Uptake time
60 min (acceptable range 55-75 min) PMID 25452219 / DOI 10.1007/s00259-014-2961-x

Reported in the literature. Not a dosing recommendation.

Published syntheses

ModuleCassettePurificationYield %RCP %Precursor / supplierSource
31595722
2019 J Zhejiang Univ Sci B
31673030
2019 Sci Rep
42273653
2026 Nucl Med Mol Imaging
Explora
Siemens
fixed tubingSPE55% ± 2%
no
>96Mannose triflate (1,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-β-D-mannopyranose)
In-house / non-commercial (various)
40927146
2025 Indian J Nucl Med
Siemens Explora FDG-4 module was used for the synthesis of [18]FDG — The decay-uncorrected radiochemical yields are 55% ± 2%.
Synthera
IBA
36760503
2023 Front Microbiol
Synthesis of [18F]FDG was by standard nucleophilic substitution using an IBA Synthera module (IBA, Louvaine-la-Neuve, Belgium).
35844642
2022 Front Chem
Exploracustom manifoldSPEapproximately 60% or aboveover 95%mannose triflate36817206
2022 Indian J Nucl Med
Pictures of Explora fluorodeoxyglucose-4 for synthesis of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose with help of purification column — The average yield of the product was approximately 60% or above.
FASTlab 2
GE HealthCare
vendor cassetteSPE81.4% ± 4.6%
yes
> 95 %mannose triflate35201511
2022 EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem
an automated synthesis module (GE FASTLab2) in a hot cell — The synthesis had a combined decay corrected radiochemical yield of 81.4% ± 4.6% from end of bombardment (EOB) to end of synthesis (EOS).
F300 (FDG synthesizer)
Sumitomo
vendor cassetteSPE60
no
>95%mannose triflate
ABX
34385781
2021 Indian J Nucl Med
F300E synthesizer — whereas with F300E synthesizer it is around 60% with synthesis time of 25 min.
CFN-MPS100
Sumitomo
custom manifoldSPE45
no
>95%mannose triflate
ABX
34385781
2021 Indian J Nucl Med
MPS-100 multipurpose synthesis module — The protocol developed with MPS 100 synthesizer for production of [18F] FDG, yielded approximate 45% (EOB), with synthesis time of around 35 min.
FASTlab
GE HealthCare
vendor cassette33805264
2021 Diagnostics (Basel)
18F-FDG was synthesized in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (GE FASTlab, Chicaco, IL, USA).
33579381
2021 Cancer Imaging
FDG was synthesized in house as previously described [21].
FASTlab
GE HealthCare
vendor cassette33391493
2021 Theranostics
The glucose analogue [18F]FDG was synthesized using FASTlab FDG cassettes with a phosphate buffer formulation and a GE FASTlab platform (GE Healthcare).
TRACERlab MX
GE HealthCare
vendor cassetteSPE52%
no
>90%mannose triflate30363401
2018 EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem
manufactured FDG using the GE TRACERLabMX-FDG synthesis module — corresponding to 52% activity yield (AY)
FASTlab 2
GE HealthCare
vendor cassetteSPE71%
no
>90%mannose triflate30363401
2018 EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem
deployed the FASTLab 2 modules — corresponding to 71% non-corrected AY
FASTlab 2
GE HealthCare
vendor cassetteSPE72%
no
>90%mannose triflate30363401
2018 EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem
Using these cyclotron beam parameters in combination with the DUO cassettes on FASTLab 2, yields of FDG were 957 ± 102 mCi at EOS — corresponding to 72% non-corrected AY (n = 235)
F300 (FDG synthesizer)
Sumitomo
27744544
2017 Ann Nucl Med
18F-FDG was prepared using an 18F-FDG synthesizer F300 (Sumitomo Heavy Industries).
28529632
2017 Theranostics
TRACERlab MX27508102
2016 Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
TRACERLab MXFDG synthesiser (GE Health, USA) using alkalic hydrolysis
In-house / custom builtcustom manifoldSPE56±4%
yes
96%mannose triflate
Sigma-Aldrich
23474380
2013 Appl Radiat Isot
the cell was coupled to a custom-built synthesis apparatus, as shown on the right of Fig. 2 — [18F]FDG with a radiochemical yield of 56±4% (decay corrected, n=4)
In-house / custom built
in-house
custom manifoldSPE41%
yes
97%mannose triflate
ABX
23999726
2013 Molecules
For automated radiosynthesis we used custom-made radiosynthesis robot controlled by LabView software. — Full QC analysis confirmed that the product was [18F]FDG (49 GBq, RCP 97%, RCY 41%).
In-house / custom builtcustom manifoldSPE51±11%
yes
>95%mannose triflate
Sigma-Aldrich
23702795
2013 Appl Radiat Isot
using a configuration of one RDM and one PRM module — The decay-corrected radiochemical yield of the non-optimized synthesis was 51±11% (n=11)
ELIXYS FLEX/CHEM
Sofie Biosciences
vendor cassetteSPE65% ± 2%
yes
Mannose triflate
ABX
23855995
2013 EJNMMI Res
the ELIXYS (Sofie Biosciences, Culver City, CA, USA), a disposable cassette-based, automated multi-reactor radiosynthesizer — Decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 65% ± 2% (n = 3) was obtained for this 45-min synthesis.
In-house / custom built88 ± 7% (fluorination to FTAG); >95% (hydrolysis to FDG)22210110
2012 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
We have developed an all-electronic digital microfluidic device for microscale chemical synthesis in organic solvents, operated by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD). — high and reliable radio-fluorination efficiency of [18F]FTAG (88 ± 7%, n = 11) and quantitative hydrolysis to [18F]FDG (> 95%, n = 11)
TRACERlab MX
GE HealthCare
23326067
2011 Indian J Nucl Med
using the TRACERlab MXFDG (GE Healthcare, Münster, Germany)
In-house / custom built
Fluidigm
custom manifoldSPE9699.3mannose triflate (MT)
ABX
20124050
2010 J Nucl Med
the coin-shaped reactor chip is designed to draw its radiosynthesis advantages — Several successful syntheses have delivered just over 100 MBq (3 mCi) of 18F-FDG with yield calculated from 18F-fluoride available for reaction reaching 96%.
32281301
2020 Cancer Med
38843483
2024 J Clin Oncol
41863605
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
FASTlab
GE HealthCare
vendor cassette28529638
2017 Theranostics
[18F]FDG was synthesized in-house on a Fastlab synthesis module using [18F]FDG- Fastlab cassettes (GE Medical Systems, Uppsala, Sweden).
23829944
2013 EJNMMI Res
31375567
2020 J Nucl Med
17884682
2007 Lancet Neurol
FASTlab
GE HealthCare
vendor cassette34078145
2021 J Cereb Blood Flow Metab
a FASTlab platform (GE Healthcare)
35534605
2022 Commun Biol
37079128
2023 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
41706122
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
21276856
2011 Neuroimage
22755696
2012 Med Phys
32314956
2020 Elife
37226880
2023 Elife
41464242
2025 Diagnostics (Basel)
36104467
2022 Eur Radiol Exp
41824221
2026 EJNMMI Res
31993925
2020 Mol Imaging Biol
37035658
2023 Front Physiol
41872336
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
TRACERlab FX (model not stated)
GE HealthCare
42708098
2026 Theranostics
[18F]FDG was synthesized using an automatic synthesis module (TracerLab Fx FDG; GE Healthcare) at our hospital
42421909
2026 Chin J Cancer Res
42115250
2026 Sci Rep
41964062
2026 Cancer Imaging
41938288
2026 AACE Endocrinol Diabetes
41689142
2026 Cancer Imaging
41595117
2026 Cancers (Basel)
41557134
2026 EJNMMI Res
41515390
2025 Molecules
41489652
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
exceeded 95%41408360
2025 Cancer Imaging
18F-FDG was produced using a circuit-compatible 18F-FDG synthesis module following standard methods (FDG-N; PET Science & Technology, China).
HPLC>95%41209215
2025 Quant Imaging Med Surg
40776406
2025 Connect Tissue Res
40365277
2025 Theranostics
40349083
2025 Syst Rev
40064709
2025 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
39351526
2024 Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
39327017
2024 J Nucl Med
39207485
2024 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
39142828
2024 J Nucl Med
38787606
2024 FASEB J
38760451
2024 Sci Rep
37310428
2023 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
35984529
2022 EJNMMI Res
34417933
2021 EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem
33885241
2020 Radiol Oncol
Nuclear Interface
Nuclear Interface
31107537
2019 Mutagenesis
[18F]FDG was radiosynthesized at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in a Nuclear Interface FDG synthesis module using [18F]fluoride obtained by nuclear reaction (18O(p,n)18F) from a Scanditronix MC32NI cyclotron.
26877786
2016 Theranostics
GE HealthCare
26843617
2016 Oncotarget
[18F]FDG was synthesized in house with a 16 MeV Cyclotron (GE PETtrace 6; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA).
98% for protected [18F]FDG22001413
2012 Appl Radiat Isot
The substitutions were carried out in a microfluidic reaction flow cell — 98% for protected [(18)F]FDG
70-90%21989864
2012 Nuklearmedizin
no
41875574
2026 Appl Radiat Isot
an automated synthesizer (F300)
41667279
2026 J Nucl Med Technol
4 radiology technologists were trained to perform FDG synthesis using a cyclotron and an automated synthesis module
73 ± 6.2 %>96 %40349649
2025 Appl Radiat Isot
using the AllinOne 36-valve synthesis module — The activity yields for two batches of [18F]FDG were 73 ± 6.2 % and 64 ± 4.7 % (n = 3)
64 ± 4.7 %>96 %40349649
2025 Appl Radiat Isot
using the AllinOne 36-valve synthesis module — The activity yields for two batches of [18F]FDG were 73 ± 6.2 % and 64 ± 4.7 % (n = 3)
37348257
2023 Appl Radiat Isot
>95%35593337
2022 Curr Radiopharm
Explora FDG4 module is described
35260243
2022 Semin Nucl Med
33398412
2021 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
32222731
2020 Hell J Nucl Med
SPE>99%aminooxy-modified tetrazine30380464
2018 Nucl Med Biol
SPE>99%aminooxy-modified PSMA inhibitor30380464
2018 Nucl Med Biol
29100155
2018 Appl Radiat Isot
Development of a disposable kit with fully automatic self-shielding reactor for [18F]FDG synthesis.
29956853
2018 Chemistry
97%28431335
2017 Appl Radiat Isot
26924501
2016 Nucl Med Biol
A multifunctional synthesis module was employed for the radiosynthesis of (18)F-FDG ((18)F-2-fluorodeoxy glucose) and (18)F-FDS starting from (18)F ion using two-pot three-step fully automated reactions.
27694174
2016 J Nucl Med
27314969
2016 Ann Nucl Med
The GE FASTlab radiosynthesis module is routinely used for the production of [(18)F]FDG, utilizing the commercially available phosphate cassettes.
25893383
2015 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
HPLC50%[18O]H2O24650573
2014 Appl Radiat Isot
an aseptic automated chemistry production and quality control module for production of [(18)F]F(-) and clinical [(18)F]FDG — in an automated synthesis mode (RCY≈50%)
82.9%
yes
99.4%23318199
2013 J Nucl Med Technol
FASTlab 18F-FDG production using phosphate and citrate buffer cassettes — The mean decay-corrected RCYs for (18)F-FDG produced by phosphate and citrate cassettes were 82.9% ± 17.4% and 79.2% ± 5.0%, respectively.
79.2%
yes
99.0%23318199
2013 J Nucl Med Technol
FASTlab 18F-FDG production using phosphate and citrate buffer cassettes — The mean decay-corrected RCYs for (18)F-FDG produced by phosphate and citrate cassettes were 82.9% ± 17.4% and 79.2% ± 5.0%, respectively.
60 ± 5%23208244
2013 Appl Radiat Isot
The FDG yield is 60 ± 5% (EOS) with a TracerLab MX (G.E. Healthcare). — The FDG yield is 60 ± 5% (EOS) with a TracerLab MX (G.E. Healthcare).
22785528
2012 Clin Nucl Med
21296149
2011 Eur J Pharm Biopharm
21451323
2011 Health Phys
6.4 percent increase[18O]H2O21782460
2011 Appl Radiat Isot
the average TracerLab MX [18F]FDG yield — a 6.4 percent increase (p=0.0025) in the average TracerLab MX [18F]FDG yield
21641809
2011 Appl Radiat Isot
Tracerlab MX radiochemistry system cassettes used to synthesise [18F]FDG
20346685
2010 Appl Radiat Isot
SPEmore than 60%
no
above 99%1, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfony-beta-D-mannopyranose19952408
2009 Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban
Automated synthesis of (18)F-FDG was performed by the on-column hydrolysis procedure in TRACERlab FXF-N synthesizer. — The uncorrected radiochemical yield of (18)F-FDG was more than 60% within the total synthesis time shorter than 20 min.
SPE88 ± 4%>97%1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulphonyl-beta-D-mannopyranose (TATM)19037638
2009 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
the performance of a conceptually simple microfluidic device integrated into a fully automated synthesis procedure for in-capillary radiosynthesis (ICR) of clinical grade [(18)F]FDG was evaluated — resulted in a radiochemical yield of 88 +/- 4% within <7 min
73%
yes
resin-bound perfluoroalkylsulfonate19156324
2009 Org Biomol Chem
18632831
2008 J Nucl Med
67.2+/-0.7% (virgin water), 65.5+/-0.9% (repurified water)17459713
2007 Appl Radiat Isot
manufactured using a GE Minitrace cyclotron and a GE Mx TracerLab synthesizer — The decrease in [18F]-FDG yield, from 67.2+/-0.7% to 65.5+/-0.9%
60%mannose triflate precursor16290944
2006 Appl Radiat Isot
using a polymer microreactor chip — 60% radiochemical yield within 4s
16357255
2005 Science
We achieved the synthesis of an [(18)F]fluoride-radiolabeled molecular imaging probe, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG), in an integrated microfluidic device.
15544995
2004 Bull Cancer
15241631
2004 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
12411554
2002 J Nucl Med
7963752
1994 Int J Card Imaging
F-18 labelled FDG is produced by an automated synthesis module yielding 22.2 GBq (600 mCi) FDG.
8152238
1993 J Neurosci Methods
12-17%96-99%tetrabutylammonium [18F]fluoride2844702
1988 Int J Rad Appl Instrum A
incorporated into our Zymate Laboratory Automation System — The end of synthesis yield (12-17%)
approximately 20% EOB96-99%acetyl hypo[18F]fluorite3027001
1986 Int J Rad Appl Instrum A
A compact autosynthesizer was developed and used successfully for the production of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose — The yield of 18FDG product using the autosynthesizer and remote manually controlled purification procedures is approximately 20% EOB.
42159908
2026 Jpn J Radiol
39227217
2025 Acad Radiol
40117893
2025 Parkinsonism Relat Disord
37452820
2024 JACC Cardiovasc Imaging
38714019
2024 Comput Med Imaging Graph
36600126
2023 Eur Radiol
32535710
2021 Surg Today
32866778
2020 Phys Med
31119608
2019 Ann Nucl Med
29925748
2018 Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi
29790486
2018 Med Pr
27028708
2016 Acta Psychiatr Scand
26585056
2016 J Nucl Med
19280185
2009 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
17315089
2007 Rev Port Pneumol
16053223
2005 Przegl Lek
approximately 99%15701412
2005 Appl Radiat Isot
11696630
2001 J Nucl Med
7790950
1995 J Nucl Med
42710079
2026 Clin Nucl Med
42701315
2026 Hell J Nucl Med
42635770
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
42624106
2026 Cell Stem Cell
42575751
2026 PET Clin
42573855
2026 J Gastrointest Cancer
42560334
2026 Radiat Prot Dosimetry
42410759
2026 Clin Nucl Med
42341206
2026 Clin Nucl Med
42333406
2026 Clin Nucl Med
42324414
2026 Mol Imaging Biol
42118324
2026 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
42007813
2026 Clin Nucl Med
42001445
2026 Hell J Nucl Med
41949416
2026 Clin Nucl Med
41869937
2026 Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther
41627842
2026 Clin Nucl Med
40923896
2025 Mol Pharm
40259061
2025 Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
39266292
2024 J Nucl Med
32293704
2020 Endokrynol Pol
32169914
2020 J Nucl Med
22818418
2012 Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
19066925
2009 Arch Gynecol Obstet
8698067
1996 Eur J Nucl Med

Precursor

Common precursor
Mannose triflate PMID 34385781 / PMC8320840
Suppliers seen in the literature
ABX (Radeberg, Germany) (mannose triflate)
Cited suppliers in indexed syntheses
ABX, In-house / non-commercial (various), Sigma-Aldrich
Typical final purification
SPE

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Quality control Pharmacopoeial monograph

Ph. Eur. monograph
1325
USP monograph
USP monograph: Fludeoxyglucose F 18 Injection (long-standing USP-NF radiopharmaceutical monograph)
AppearancepHRCP HPLCRCP TLCHPLC cond.Residual solvents (GC)KryptofixRadionuclidic (HPGe)Half-lifeActivityEndotoxins (LAL)SterilityFilter integrity
How this set was arrived at. Base set per Ph. Eur. 0125 + monograph 1325. Aminopolyether (Kryptofix) + residual solvents (GC) required. Conductometric detection for the sugar (no UV chromophore). Monograph under revision — treat impurity tests as provisional.

Tests listed by reference only. Monograph texts are copyrighted and are not reproduced here. How these are derived

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