Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. Your child only receives an extremely small amount of radioactive medicine. In fact, the amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine test is no more than that received during an X-ray. Most radioactive medicine is passed quickly from the body through normal bodily functions. Drinking plenty of water or liquids after an exam will help to remove the medicine more quickly. Side effects or adverse reactions from the medicine are rare, and your child will feel no effect from the medicine itself.