Clodronate (Systemic)

Brand Names : Bonefos, disodium clodronate

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For clodronate, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clodronate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Clodronate has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that clodronate causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether clodronate passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of clodronate in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of clodronate in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking clodronate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Antacids (e.g., Maalox, Mylanta) or
• Calcium supplements (e.g., Tums) or
• Iron supplements (e.g., Geritol) - Taking these medicines and also taking clodronate may cause the clodronate to not work as well

• Calcitonin (e.g., Calcimar, Miacalcin) or
• Corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone) or
• Loop diuretics (e.g., Lasix, Demadex) or
• Mithramycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
• Phosphate (e.g., found in Centrum, Ensure) - Taking these medicines and also taking clodronate may cause the calcium in your blood to be too low

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of clodronate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Stomach cramping or pain, nausea, stomach burning - Taking clodronate, especially by mouth, may make your stomach problems worse

• Kidney problems - Taking clodronate may cause your kidney problems to get worse. Your doctor may give you a smaller amount of clodronate to take