GENERIC NAME: PAMIDRONATE - INJECTION (pam-ih-DRO-nate)
BRAND NAME(S): Aredia
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication acts on bone to help regulate blood calcium levels. It is used to treat Paget's disease of bone and to treat high blood calcium levels. The medication has also been used in the treatment of osteoporosis, to reduce bone pain associated with certain illnesses and to treat bone loss due to breast cancer.
HOW TO USE: This medication is given as an injection as directed. For high calcium levels, usually one dose is given. Based on your condition and response, a repeat dose may be given after 7 days. For Paget's disease, an IV infusion is given usually once a day for 3 days. Do not exceed the recommended dose. It is important to maintain an adequate diet while taking this medication. Be sure you receive proper amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Discuss this with your doctor or nutritionist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Mild fever, redness, swelling or pain at injection site, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, constipation or initial increase in bone pain may occur. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: jaw pain, stiff muscles, difficulty moving, rapid heart rate, weakness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease, allergies (especially drug allergies). Infrequently, serious jawbone problems (osteonecrosis) have occurred in people taking this medication. Most people were also using other medications or had conditions which might have actually caused the jawbone problem. If you have cancer, anemia, blood clotting disorders, infections in the mouth or other diseases of the mouth, or poor dental hygiene, see your dentist for a full examination/treatment before you start pamidronate. Make sure he/she knows your entire medical history, any cancer radiation treatments, and also all the medications you are using, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone, cancer chemotherapy, and pamidronate. Consult your dentist for more details. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause fetal harm. Consult your doctor for more details. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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