Etidronate Side Effects

Package of the 400 mg dose of Etidronate.

Symptoms of overdose:

Muscle spasms and cramps
diarrhea
stomach cramps
vomiting
pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

Serious side effects:

New or worsening heartburn
Chest pain
Hoarseness
Fever
Swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Blisters on the skin
Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Less serious side effects:

Nausea
Diarrhea

Warnings & Recalls for Etidronate

Serious Warnings

Etidronate is an oral bisphosphonate. The FDA has been researching whether some oral biphosphonates increase the chance of esophageal cancer. There is insufficient data to determine there is direct risk, but there is sufficient evidence to encourage patients to get screened regularly.

Warnings

You should not take Etidronate if you are allergic to etidronate disodium, Didronel, or any inactive components used to make the medication. Have an abnormality of the esophagus that causes problems swallowing. Those who have a history of soft bones, anemia, difficulty swallowing, heart burn or ulcers with other stomach problems, any types of cancers, intestinal swelling, infections, problems with mouth/teeth/gums, blood clotting conditions, dental disease or kidney disease should not take Etidronate. Etidronate may cause jaw discomfort, therefore patients should proceed with caution in terms of dental surgery and dental hygiene, and patients should consult a doctor before any oral surgery is performed. Contraindications: Blood thinners, chemotherapy, oral steroids, iron, calcium infused antacids, magnesium and aluminum can cause Etidronate complications. Family planning The FDA has assigned etidronate pregnancy category C. The drug as been shown to cause skeletal abnormalities in animal testing when given an oral dose of 300 mg/kg which is 15 to 60 times the human dose. Another effect on the offspring that also included decreased live births is that dosages cause significant toxicity to the parent generation which are 25 to 200 times the human dose. Your doctor should know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking of becoming pregnant, as Etidronate can remain in the body for years after discontinuing the drug. Etidronate is only recommended for use during pregnancy when all other venues are taken into account and the benefit outweighs the risk. It isn't known if this drug is excreted in breastmilk but because there are possible risks caution should be exercised when using this drug while breastfeeding.

Etidronate Treatment and Use

What is Etidronate?

Etidronate | Didronel is used to treat Paget’s disease of bone, a condition in which the bones are soft and weak and may be deformed/painful, and can easily be broken. It also prevents and treats heterotopic ossification, which is the growth of bone tissue in an area of the body other than the skeleton. It’s also used for people who have had an injury to their spinal cord or those who have had hip replacement.

How it works

Etidronate works by slowing down the breakdown of old bone, and promotes the formation of new bone.

Dosage information

It comes in a tablet form that is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day on an empty stomach for 3 to 6 months. Treatment may be repeated if symptoms come back or worsen after some time has passed. Make sure to take Etidronate around the same time(s) every day.

Take each tablet, available in 200 mg and 400 mg doses, with water (plain, not mineral) or plain fruit juice, but Etidronate must not be taken with milk or any sort of drinks that contain calcium. Do not eat 2 hour prior and 2 hours after ingesting the pill. Do not crush, chew or sick the pill. Make sure you swallow it whole. Make sure to store at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

Other Names for Etidronate

Brand name:

Didronel

Generic

EHDP