Etidronate (Oral) (Didronel) - Drugs Information, Side Effects, & Interactions

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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.

Didronel
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

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).

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.

Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

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.

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.

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:

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