GENERIC NAME: TILUDRONATE - ORAL (till-EW-dro-nate)
BRAND NAME(S): Skelid
Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication is used to treat a bone condition called Paget's Disease.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for other bone problems such as brittle bones (osteoporosis).
HOW TO USE: Take by mouth with a full glass (6-8 oz or 180-240 ml) of plain water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. The usual dose is two tablets (400mg) daily for 3 months, or as directed. After taking tiludronate do not lie down for at least 30 minutes. Food, calcium supplements, aspirin and indomethacin should not be taken within 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medication. Aluminum or magnesium containing antacids should be taken at least 2 hours after taking this medication. It is important to maintain adequate vitamin D and calcium intake.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: headache, sinus congestion, back pain. Unlikely but report promptly: jaw pain, chest pain, ankle swelling, numbness or unusual sensations, dizziness, fainting, coughing, vomiting, joint pain, rash, vision/eye problems. Very unlikely but report promptly: difficulty or pain on swallowing, black/tarry stools. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies (especially drug allergies), high blood pressure, kidney disease, history of intestinal (esophagus or stomach) ulcers. Infrequently, serious jawbone problems (osteonecrosis) have occurred in people taking similar medication. Most people were also using other medications or had conditions which actually might have 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 tiludronate. 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 tiludronate. Consult your dentist for more details. Limit alcohol intake as it may increase certain side effects of this medication. Since this drug may cause dizziness, use caution if operating machinery or performing hazardous tasks (e.g., driving). This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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Back to Medications IndexLast Editorial Review: 3/2/2005