etidronate

(eh TIH droe nate)
Didronel

What is the most important information I should know about etidronate?

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Take each dose with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of tap water or bottled water.

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Do not eat any food, drink any liquid other than water, or take any medicines (including vitamins and antacids) for at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after a dose of etidronate.

What is etidronate?

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Etidronate alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body.

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Etidronate is used to treat Paget's disease, and to treat conditions of irregular bone growth due to hip fracture or spinal cord injury.

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Etidronate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking etidronate?

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Do not take etidronate without first talking to your doctor if you have

diarrhea;

a problem swallowing, such as a narrowing of the esophagus;

a stomach or esophageal ulcer or disease; or

kidney disease.

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You may not be able to take etidronate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Etidronate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take etidronate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether etidronate passes into breast milk. Do not take etidronate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take etidronate?

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Take etidronate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of tap water or bottled water.

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Do not eat any food, drink any liquid other than water, or take any medicines (including vitamins and antacids) for at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after a dose of etidronate.

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Do not crush, chew, or suck the pills. Swallow them whole.

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It is important to take etidronate regularly to get the most benefit.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with etidronate to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store etidronate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of an etidronate overdose are not known but nausea, heartburn, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, uncontrollable facial grimacing, seizures, irritability, and abnormal behavior may be expected to occur.

What should I avoid while taking etidronate?

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There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking etidronate unless otherwise directed by your doctor

What are the possible side effects of etidronate?

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Stop taking etidronate and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

difficulty or pain when swallowing;

pain or burning under the ribs or in the back; or

new or worsening heartburn.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take etidronate and talk to your doctor if you experience

diarrhea;

nausea; or

muscle or joint soreness or aches.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect etidronate?

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Do not take any other medicine, including vitamins, minerals, or other supplements, within 2 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of etidronate, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Any drug that is taken within this time frame can decrease the effects of etidronate.

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Before taking etidronate, tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin). You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with etidronate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has more information about etidronate written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.