ETIDRONATE

(e ti DROE nate) Brand: Didronel

What is the most significant information I must know about etidronate?

• You must not take this medication if you have a condition called osteomalacia (softening of the bones), or a problem with the movement of muscles in your esophagus.

What is etidronate?

• Etidronate is in a group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body.

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

• Etidronate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking etidronate?

• You must not take this medication if you have a condition called osteomalacia (softening of the bones), or a problem with the movement of muscles in your esophagus.

• To create certain etidronate is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:

· diarrhea;

· a bone fracture;

· trouble swallowing;

· a stomach or esophageal ulcer or malady; or

· kidney disease.

• In rare cases, this medication may reason bone loss (osteonecrosis) in the jaw. Symptoms include jaw pain or numbness, red or swollen gums, loose teeth, or slow healing after dental work. The longer you use etidronate, the more likely you are to develop this condition.

• Osteonecrosis of the jaw may be more likely if you have cancer or received chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Another risk factors include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre existing dental problem.

• Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether etidronate will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

• It is not known whether etidronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Speak your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take etidronate?

• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Do not crush, chew, or suck the pill. Swallow it whole.

• Take every etidronate tablet with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water (not mineral water) when taking an etidronate tablet.

• For at least the first 2 hours after taking etidronate, do not ate or drink anything another than plain water, and do not take any another medicines including vitamins or mineral supplements.

• It is significant to take etidronate regularly to get the most benefit.

• If you need to have any dental work (especially surgery), speak the dentist onward of time that you are using etidronate. You may need to stop using the medication for a short time.

• After you stop taking etidronate, you should remain off the medicine for at least 90 days till starting etidronate therapy again.

• Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using etidronate.

• Etidronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your diet, medicine, and exercice routines very closely.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, numbness or tingly feeling near your mouth, quick or slow heart course, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes.

What must I avoid while taking etidronate?

• Avoid drinking milk or eating dairy commodity within 2 hours after taking etidronate. Also avoid taking supplements that contain calcium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum (such as in multivitamins with iron, and in much types of antacids).

What are the possible side effects of etidronate?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop using etidronate and call your doctor at once if you have:

· painful or difficult swallowing;

· severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach, or coughing up blood;

· severe joint, bone, or muscle pain;

· jaw pain, numbness, or swelling;

· severe diarrhea;

· bone fracture; or

· a red, blistering, peeling skin rash.

• General side effects may include:

· mild diarrhea;

· headache, confusion;

· muscle cramps, joint pain; or

· numbness or tingly feeling.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect etidronate?

• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with etidronate, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin.

• Another drugs may interact with etidronate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Speak every of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medication you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about etidronate.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each 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 external 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 must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help 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.