Brand
name: Aredia
(Pamidronate)
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 Aredia (Pamidronate) without a prescriptions:
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 Aredia (Pamidronate)
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.