Etidronate: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Etidronate?

What is etidronate for?

Etidronate is used to treat a certain type of bone disease called Paget's disease. This disease weakens and changes the shape of the bones. Etidronate works by slowing bone loss, helping to keep bones strong and not prone to loss. This medication also helps reduce bone pain. This drug belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates.

Etidronate is also used to prevent or treat bone problems that may occur after hip replacement surgery or spinal cord injury.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

Etidronate can also be used to treat osteoporosis if you are taking corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) for a long time. In addition, this drug can be used to treat high calcium levels in the blood that may occur with some types of cancer.

How do I use etidronate?

Take this medication by mouth without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Drink it on an empty stomach at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.

Take etidronate with a full glass of plain water (6 to 8 ounces, 180-240 milliliters). Don't drink with other drinks. After taking etidronate, stay upright (sit, stand, or walk) and do not lie down for at least 30 minutes.

Do not take etidronate at the same time as food or use other drugs as this can prevent absorption. Use this medication 2 hours before or 2 hours after using products that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc. Some examples include antacids, certain forms of ddI (chewable / dispersed buffered tablets or children's drinking solution), quinapril, vitamins / minerals, dairy products (such as milk, yogurt), and fortified calcium juices.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment. If upset stomach occurs, talk to your doctor about dividing your daily dose into 2 or 3 smaller daytime doses instead of using one daily dose at a time.

For Paget's bone disease and problems after hip replacement or spinal cord injury, you will usually use this medication for 3 to 6 months. Do not take this medication in excess or use it for longer than prescribed as this can increase the risk of side effects.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. You need to remember to take this medication at the same time every day.

How is etidronate stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Etidronate dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the etidronate dosage for adults?

Normal Dosage for Adults with Hypercalcemia

Intravenous: 7.5 mg / kg (ideal body weight) intravenously by slow infusion for at least 2 hours once a day for 3 days (dose up to 25 mg). Some patients have been treated for up to 7 days. To prolong the decrease in serum calcium, etidronate orally can be started the next day after the last intravenous dose. If significant hypercalcemia recurs, a second intravenous course for 3 days can be administered. A minimum of 7 days must pass between doses.

-or-

Taken: 20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally once a day, 2 hours before or after meals for 30 days (closest dose cycle to 200 mg). Therapy should be continued for 30 days. If the patient remains normocalcemic, treatment may be extended for up to 90 days.

Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

-or-

30 mg / kg (ideal body weight, rounded to the nearest 50 mg dose) via a 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion may be given. This dosage appears to be safe and effective and may be easier than standard therapy. However, this etidronate dose is not approved for the treatment of hypercalcemic malignancy.

Usual Adult Dose for Paget's Disease

5 to 10 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally once a day, 2 hours before or after meals for up to 6 months (round dose for the nearest 200 mg). Therapy in this dosage range should not exceed 6 months.

-or-

10 to 20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally (round dose to the nearest 200 mg) once daily for 3 months if the patient has failed to respond to lowering the dose or requires rapid bone turnover suppression.

Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

Normal dosage for adults with osteoporosis

400 mg taken by mouth once a day, 2 hours before or after meals for 14 days. Therapy is cyclical. Etidronate should be given for the first 14 days of each 12 week cycle. Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

Normal dosage for adults with heterotopic ossification - spinal cord

20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally once a day, 2 hours before or after meals for 2 weeks (dose round to the nearest 200 mg). Dosage should be followed by 10 mg / kg / day (ideal body weight) taken for an additional 10 weeks (dose rounded to 200 mg). Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

Normal Dosage For Adults With Heterotopic Osification - Total Hip Arthroplasty

20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally once a day, 2 hours before or after meals (round up to the nearest 200 mg dose) starting 1 month before surgery and continuing for 3 months after surgery. Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

What is the dose of etidronate for children?

Normal dosage for children with heterotopic ossification - spinal cord injury

More than 1 year:

20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) taken once a day, 2 hours before or after meals for 2 weeks (Round to the nearest 200 mg dose). Should be followed by 10 mg / kg / day (ideal body weight) taken by mouth for an additional 10 weeks (round up to the nearest 200 mg dose). Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

Normal Dosage For Adults With Heterotopic Osification - Total Hip Arthroplasty

20 mg / kg (ideal body weight) orally once a day, 2 hours before or after meals (round up to the nearest 200 mg dose) starting 1 month before surgery and continuing for 3 months after surgery. Foods, dairy products, vitamins, minerals, and antacids should not be given within two hours of the etidronate dose.

In what dosage is etidronate available?

Tablets, taken by mouth, as disodium: 200 mg, 400 mg

Etidronate side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to etidronate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using etidronate and call your doctor right away if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pain or difficulty swallowing
• severe heartburn, burning pain in the upper abdomen, or coughing up blood
• severe joint, bone, or muscle pain
• jaw pain, numbness, or swelling
• severe diarrhea
• fracture
• red, blistering, peeling skin rash

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea
• headache, confusion
• muscle cramps, joint pain
• death or tingling feeling

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Etidronate Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using etidronate?

Before using etidronate, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to etidronate or any other medications.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using or planning to use. Be sure to mention anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin); cancer chemotherapy; and oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.

If you are taking vitamin and mineral supplements such as iron, or if you are taking antacids that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others), take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take etidronate.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had problems with your esophagus such as esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus causing difficulty swallowing) or achalasia (a disorder that affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach), or osteomalacia (softening of the bones due to a lack of minerals). Your doctor may tell you not to use etidronate.

Tell your doctor if you are unable to sit or stand straight and if you have or have ever had anemia (a condition in which red blood cells do not carry enough oxygen to all parts of the body); low levels of calcium in your blood; difficulty swallowing, heartburn, ulcers, or other stomach problems; cancer; enterocolitis (swelling of the intestines); any kind of infection, especially in your mouth; problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums; conditions that stop blood from clotting normally; or kidney disease. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Also tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant at any time in the future because etidronate may remain in your body for years after you stop using it. Call your doctor if you become pregnant during or after treatment with etidronate.

You should know that etidronate can cause serious problems with your jaw, especially if you had dental surgery or treatments while you were using the drug. A dentist should examine your teeth and take whatever treatment is necessary before you start taking etidronate. Make sure to brush your teeth and clean your mouth properly when you are using etidronate. Talk to your doctor before having dental work while you are using this medicine.

You should know that etidronate can cause severe bone, muscle, or joint pain. You may start to have this pain within days, months, or years after you first use etidronate. Although this type of pain can start after you have used etidronate for some time, it is important that you and your doctor be aware that it may be caused by etidronate. Call your doctor right away if you experience severe pain at any time during treatment with etidronate. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking etidronate and your pain may go away after you stop taking the drug.

Is etidronate safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Etidronate Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with etidronate?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Can food or alcohol interact with etidronate?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with etidronate?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• anemia
• blood clotting problems
• cancer
• dental problems
• dental procedures (for example, tooth extraction)
• infection
• lack of oral hygiene
• surgery (eg, dental surgery) - may increase the risk for severe jaw problems. This risk may also increase if you use this drug for a long time.
• enterocolitis (severe diarrhea)
• hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate in the blood)
• Stomach or intestinal problems (eg, Barrett's esophagus, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, esophageal inflammation, or ulcers) - use with caution. It might make things worse.
• esophageal problems (for example, achalasia, strictures)
• osteomalacia (soft bone)
• problems with swallowing - should not be used in patients with this condition
• kidney disease - use with caution. Effects may increase due to slower removal of the drug from the body

Etidronate overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include the following:

• gag
• stomach cramps
• diarrhea
• pain, burning sensation, numbness, or tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• muscle spasms and cramps

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.