Didronel

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Treatment & Uses
Side Effects
Treating Overdose
Safety Information
Before Using

Generic Name: etidronate (e ti DROE nate)
Brand Names: Didronel

What is Didronel?

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

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

Didronel may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Didronel

Take each dose with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water (not mineral water) when taking an Didronel tablet. For at least the first 2 hours after taking Didronel, do not eat or drink anything other than plain water, and do not take any other medicines including vitamins or mineral supplements.

Especially avoid drinking milk or eating dairy products within 2 hours after taking Didronel. Also avoid taking supplements that contain calcium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum (such as in multivitamins with iron, and in many types of antacids).

Some people using medicines similar to Didronel have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums. You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and pre-existing dental problems.

Before taking Didronel

Do not take Didronel if you have a condition called osteomalacia (softening of the bones).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before taking Didronel, tell your doctor if you have:

diarrhea;
a bone fracture;
a stomach or esophageal ulcer or disease; or
kidney disease.

You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery or pre-existing dental problems.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Didronel is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether etidronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Didronel without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Didronel?

Take Didronel exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not crush, chew, or suck the pill. Swallow it whole. Take each Didronel tablet with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water (not mineral water) when taking an Didronel tablet. For at least the first 2 hours after taking Didronel, do not eat or drink anything other than plain water, and do not take any other medicines including vitamins or mineral supplements.

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

Paget's disease is usually treated for 30 to 60 days with Didronel. After you stop taking Didronel, you must stay off the medication for at least 90 days before starting Didronel therapy again.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Didronel is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store Didronel at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include muscle cramps, stiffness, or twitching, breathing problems, swelling in your hands or feet, and muscle movements in your face that you cannot control.

What should I avoid while taking Didronel?

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

Didronel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Didronel: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Didronel and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

severe joint, bone, or muscle pain;
jaw pain, numbness, or swelling;
severe diarrhea;
bone fracture; or
a red, blistering, peeling skin rash.

Less serious Didronel side effects may include:

mild diarrhea;
headache, confusion;
nausea; 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 report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Didronel?

Before taking Didronel, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Didronel. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Didronel.

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