Didronel Information:

Didronel (Etidronate) is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic Paget's disease of bone and in the prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification following total hip replacement or due to spinal cord injury. Didronel (Etidronate) is not (Etidronate) is not contraindicated in patients with upper gastrointestinal abnormalities. However, Didronel (Etidronate) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to etidronate disodium or in patients with clinically overt osetomalacia.

In Paget's disease the response to therapy may be of slow onset and continue for months after Didronel (Etidronate) is discontinued. Didronel (Etidronate)should not be increased prematurely; a 90 day drug-free interval should be provided between courses of therapy. Patients taking Didronel (Etidronate) should maintain an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium. Didronel (Etidronate) may retard mineralization of osteoid laid down during the bone accretion process. These effects are dose and time dependent. Osteoid, which may accumulate at doses of 10-20 mg/kg/day, mineralizes normally post-therapy. In pagetic patients treatment regimens exceeding the recommended daily maximum dose of 20 mg/kg/day or continuous administration of medication for periods greater than 6 months may be associated with osteomalacia and an increased risk of fractures.

The most commonly reported adverse events were diarrhea, nausea and flatulence. Didronel (Etidronate) is a bone and calcium regulator used to treat Paget's disease. Didronel (Etidronate) is also used in women to treat osteoporosis that occurs after menopause. Didronel (Etidronate) may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Didronel (Etidronate) acts primarily on bone. Didronel (Etidronate) can inhibit the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and their amorphous precursors by chemisorption to calcium phosphate surfaces. Inhibition of crystal resorption occurs at lower doses than are required to inhibit crystal growth. Both effects increase as the dose increases.

Didronel Side Effects:

Didronel side effects, that may go away during Didronel (Etidronate) treatment, include nausea or diarrhea. If Didronel side effects continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience Didronel side effects like continuing bone pain. If you notice other Didronel side effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.