Scan day
Can You Drive Home — After a PET-CT Scan?
For most people, yes. The radiotracer injection used in a PET-CT scan does not affect your alertness or coordination, and you can drive yourself home afterwards. The one situation where this changes is if sedation was given during your appointment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Usually yes — The radiotracer injection does not affect your alertness or ability to drive.
- One exception — If you received sedation, you must not drive — arrange a driver before your appointment.
- The scan itself is brief — Most of your time at the centre is the waiting period after the injection, not the scan itself.
- Brief radiation precautions — After the scan, avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for the rest of the day.
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Yes, you can drive yourself home after a PET-CT scan if you did not receive sedation. The radiotracer injection does not affect your alertness or coordination. The only situation where you cannot drive is if sedation was given — arrange a driver in advance if your team has mentioned this.
At CION, a whole-body PET-CT starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What happens during a PET-CT scan, step by step?
Arrival and check-in
Staff verify your identity and referral and confirm the preparation you were asked to follow, such as fasting or avoiding strenuous activity.
Blood sugar check
Because the radiotracer is a form of glucose, your blood sugar is checked before the injection. If the level is too high, the scan may need to be rescheduled.
The radiotracer injection
A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. It does not make you drowsy or unwell. Most people feel nothing beyond a brief sensation at the injection site.
The waiting period
You rest quietly while the tracer moves through your body. You will be asked to stay still and limit talking. This is the longest part of your visit.
The scan
You lie on a table that moves slowly through the scanner. The machine is open at both ends. You need to stay as still as possible, and staff can see and hear you throughout.
Post-scan check and instructions
Staff confirm you are well and give you instructions — usually about drinking extra fluids and briefly avoiding close contact with pregnant women and young children.
Going home
If you did not receive sedation, you can drive yourself. If you did, your driver must be waiting. Tell staff before leaving if you feel dizzy or unwell.
What if you were given sedation?
Some people are given a sedative if they feel very anxious about the scan or have claustrophobia. If this happened, you must not drive home, and you should not drive for the rest of the day.
Sedatives affect your alertness and reaction time for several hours, even after you feel normal again. You need a driver to take you home and a responsible adult to stay with you.
If you think you might need sedation, tell the booking team before your appointment. Do not assume it will be offered on the day — it needs to be planned in advance.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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When is it safe to drive after a PET-CT scan?
| Situation | Can you drive? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No sedation given, feeling well | Yes | Drive as normal after discharge |
| Sedation given during the appointment | No | Arrange a driver before your appointment day |
| Feeling dizzy or unwell after the scan | No | Tell scan centre staff before leaving |
What do you need to sort before and after your scan?
- If sedation has been mentioned or planned, arrange a driver before your appointment — not on the day.
- After the scan, drink plenty of fluids to help the radiotracer leave your body faster.
- Avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for the rest of the scan day.
- If you have been fasting and feel light-headed after the scan, eat something before getting in the car.
- Tell the scan centre staff if you feel dizzy or unwell before you leave.
Book a PET-CT at CION from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation, across 4 partner centres. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 64 more Preparing For and Having Your Scan Safely topics
Scan Day: What Actually Happens
- Can Someone Stay With Me During the Scan?
- Can You Drive Yourself Home After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Have Sedation for a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Done on the Same Day as Other Tests?
- Contrast in a PET-CT Scan: When It Is Used and Why
- Eating and Drinking After Your PET-CT Scan
- How Long Does a PET-CT Scan Take?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Painful?
- Is a PET-CT Scanner Closed Like an MRI? Claustrophobia Explained
- The Tracer Injection: Does It Hurt?
- What Happens If the Scan Cannot Be Completed?
- What If You Cannot Lie Still or Have Tremors?
- What to Expect Immediately After the Scan
- Why Was My Scan Repeated or Extended on the Day?
- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
- Your PET-CT Scan Day: What Happens, Step by Step
Diabetes & Blood Sugar for PET-CT
- A Diabetic Patient's PET-CT Day Plan
- Best Appointment Time for a Diabetic PET Scan
- Can Diabetics Take Their Tablets Before a PET Scan?
- Does Diabetes Change Your SUV Reading?
- Fasting Safely With Diabetes Before a Scan
- Insulin and PET-CT: Timing Rules
- Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Found Before a Scan
- PET-CT Scan With Diabetes: The Complete Preparation Guide
- PET-CT With Steroid-Induced High Sugars
- What Blood Sugar Level Is Needed for a PET-CT Scan?
- What Happens If Your Sugar Is High on the Day?
- What to Eat the Day Before if You Have Diabetes
Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
- Can I Drink Water Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can I Have a PET-CT Scan During My Period?
- Can I Take My Regular Medicines Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Reschedule a PET-CT Scan?
- Cold Weather, Shivering and Brown Fat: Why You Are Asked to Stay Warm
- Fasting Before a PET-CT Scan: How Long and Why
- How to Prepare for a PET-CT Scan: The Complete Checklist
- Preparing a Very Elderly or Frail Person for a PET-CT
- Preparing a Wheelchair-Bound or Bedridden Patient
- Preparing for a PSMA, DOTATATE or FAPI PET-CT
- Should I Avoid Exercise Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Smoking, Alcohol and Caffeine Before a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Break the Fast by Mistake?
- What to Carry to Your PET-CT Appointment
- What to Eat the Day Before a PET-CT Scan
- What to Wear to a PET-CT Scan
- Why Your Kidney Function Test Is Needed Before a PET-CT
Radiation Safety & After-Scan Precautions
- Are You Radioactive After a PET-CT Scan?
- Being Around Pregnant Women After a PET-CT Scan
- Can I Hold My Child or Grandchild After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Cause Cancer?
- Cumulative Radiation From Repeated Scans
- Do You Need Precautions After a PSMA or DOTATATE Scan?
- Do You Need Separate Utensils or a Separate Toilet After a PET-CT?
- How Long Does the Tracer Stay in Your Body?
- How Long Should You Avoid Close Contact After a PET-CT?
- How Many PET-CT Scans Are Safe in a Year?
- How Much Radiation Is in a PET-CT Scan?
- Is PET-CT Radiation Different From Radiotherapy?
- Is the Radiation From a PET-CT Scan Dangerous?
- PET-CT Radiation Compared With CT, X-Ray and Natural Background
- Radiation Safety at Home After Your Scan: A Family Checklist
- Radiation Safety for Staff and Attendants at the Centre
- Simple Steps to Clear the Tracer Faster
- Travelling Home After a PET-CT Scan: Public Transport and Airports
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long after sedation can I drive?
The time depends on which sedative was used and how your body responds to it — your scan team will tell you specifically. As a general guide, sedatives can affect your alertness and reaction time for several hours even after you feel normal again, which is why most centres ask for a driver and a responsible adult at home for the rest of the day.
Will the injection make me feel dizzy or unwell?
The radiotracer injection does not cause dizziness or drowsiness. Most people feel nothing beyond a brief sensation at the injection site. If you feel faint or unwell at any point during your visit, tell the scan centre staff immediately. They will assess you before you leave and will not discharge you if you do not feel safe.
Can I come to the scan alone if I am not having sedation?
Yes. If sedation is not planned, you do not need anyone with you. You can arrive alone and drive or travel home by yourself. If there is any chance sedation may be needed on the day, it is safer to bring someone just in case — you will not be able to drive if sedation is given.
Is it safe to be near my family after the scan?
Yes, broadly. After a standard PET-CT scan, a small amount of radioactivity remains in your body and fades over a few hours. Normal interaction with adults is fine. The standard precaution is to avoid prolonged, close contact with pregnant women and young children for the rest of the day. Brief contact — sitting nearby, a hug — is not a concern. Drinking extra fluids helps the tracer leave your body faster.
I have been fasting all morning. Can I eat something before driving?
Yes, and it is sensible if you feel light-headed. Ask the scan centre staff when your fasting restriction lifts — it ends at a specific point after the injection, and they will confirm when that is for you. If you feel dizzy, eat something and wait until you feel steady before getting in the car. Tell staff if you are not feeling well — they will help before you leave.