Etidronate
Description
Etidronate is used to treat Paget's disease of bone, a condition in which the bones are weak, thin, deformed, and easily fractured. It is also used to prevent and treat abnormal bone growth after hip replacement surgery or spinal cord surgery.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Etidronate
- Bone pain
- Heartburn
- Skin blistering
- Convulsions
- Fever
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Uses of Etidronate
What is it prescribed for?
- Paget's disease
- Heterotopic ossification- spinal cord injury
- Heterotopic ossification- total hip arthroplasty
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 1 to 3 months of treatment.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 months.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to etidronate.
Osteomalacia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of osteomalacia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Esophageal abnormalities
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with esophageal abnormalities due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Severe bone, joint and/or muscle pain
This medicine may cause severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain. Report any such symptoms to the doctor on priority. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue therapy based on your clinical condition.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)
This medicine should be used with caution in patients undergoing invasive dental procedures due to the increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Therapy with the medicine may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Pediatric use
The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in pediatric patients.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Etidronate is missed, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, if you have not eaten anything. If you have eaten something, take the missed dose 2 hours after you last ate. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Immunosuppressants
Cidofovir
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
The desired effects of Etidronate will not be achieved if it is taken along with food. It is advised to take this medicine first thing in the morning and at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything.
The combined use of Etidronate with products containing calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or iron may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. It is recommended not to take such products for at least 30 minutes after taking Etidronate. It is advised that you inform the doctor about all your medicines including herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with Etidronate to avoid such interactions.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Etidronate as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Etidronate increases bone thickness and reduces the chances of bone breakage.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Bisphosphonates
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - ETIDRONATE DISODIUM- etidronate disodium tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Etidronate: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Etidronic acid: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 31 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.