Didronel (Oral)
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Didronel (Oral) Drug and Prescription Information
Didronel (Oral)
Didronel (Oral) Medication Classification
ETIDRONATE (By mouth)
Didronel (Oral) Brandname
Didronel
Didronel (Oral) is used for the Treatment
Etidronate (e-ti-DROE-nate) Treats the symptoms of Paget's disease and controls abnormal bone formation in people recovering from hip surgery or spinal cord injury.
When To Not Use Didronel (Oral)
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to etidronate, or if you have a bone problem called osteomalacia (soft bones).
How Should You Use Didronel (Oral)
Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.
- If this medicine upsets your stomach, ask your doctor if you can take two smaller doses instead of one larger dose. Do not change without talking to your doctor, though.
- Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. It is especially important that you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.
- For treating Paget's disease, you may need to take this medicine for up to 6 months. Then after 90 days of not taking the medicine, your doctor may want you to start another course of treatment.
- If you have Paget's disease, this medicine may work slowly, so you may not feel better until you have been using it for awhile. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor first. Your body may continue to respond to this medicine for several months after you stop using it. If a dose is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
- Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Proper Didronel (Oral) Storage
Store Didronel (Oral) at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture unless otherwise stated by manufacturer's instructions or labelling. Keep Didronel (Oral) and all medications out of the reach of children.
What To Avoid While Using Didronel (Oral)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), antacids such as Tums®, or vitamin supplements. The minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, and aluminum that are found in some antacids and supplements can keep this medicine from working properly.
- Do not drink milk or eat dairy products or other foods that are high in calcium within 2 hours before or after taking this medicine.
Didronel (Oral) Warnings
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, asthma, ulcers, or digestive problems such as enterocolitis.
- A small number of people who have Paget's disease may have new or increased bone pain when they first start using this medicine. If your symptoms get worse, call your doctor.
- If you break a bone, talk to the doctor who prescribed this medicine for you. You may need to stop using this medicine for a short time until the bone begins to heal.
Didronel (Oral) Side Effects
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
- Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, loss of appetite, puffy eyelids
- Severe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
- Diarrhea, nausea
- Joint pain
- Worsening bone pain or onset of new bone pain
