Etidronate Disodium
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Etidronate Disodium 200mg Tablets
Manufactured by Cobalt Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Etidronate Disodium Prescription Drug Information
Etidronate (By mouth)
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.
Brand Name(s):Didronel
There may be other brand names for Etidronate Disodium.
When Etidronate Disodium Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Etidronate Disodium if you have had an allergic reaction to etidronate, or if you have you have esophagus (the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach) problems, trouble swallowing, or a bone problem called osteomalacia (soft bones).
How to Use Etidronate Disodium:
Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Etidronate Disodium to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- It is best to take Etidronate Disodium on an empty stomach. Take Etidronate Disodium with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.
- Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking Etidronate Disodium, and do not lie down until after you have eaten some food.
- If Etidronate Disodium 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 Etidronate Disodium 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, Etidronate Disodium 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 Etidronate Disodium for several months after you stop using it.
If a dose of Etidronate Disodium is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of Etidronate Disodium:
- Store the medicine in a closed container 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.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Etidronate Disodium:
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 Etidronate Disodium 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 Etidronate Disodium.
Warnings While Using Etidronate Disodium:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, asthma, heartburn, ulcers, stomach or bowel problems, or any other kind of digestive problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have anemia, blood clotting problems, cancer, infection of any kind, any type of mineral imbalance, poor oral hygiene, or dental problems.
- Etidronate Disodium can irritate your esophagus. If you think Etidronate Disodium has started to damage your esophagus, stop taking Etidronate Disodium and call your doctor. Some symptoms of damage to the esophagus are heartburn (either new or worse than usual), pain when swallowing, pain in the center of your chest, trouble swallowing, or feeling that food gets stuck on the way to your stomach.
- It is important that you tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Etidronate Disodium. If you are having dental procedures done, you may have an increased chance of getting a severe problem of your jaw.
- Make sure you tell your doctor about any new medical problems, especially with your teeth or jaws. Tell your doctor if you have severe bone, joint, or muscle pain while using Etidronate Disodium.
- A small number of people who have Paget's disease may have new or increased bone pain when they first start using Etidronate Disodium. If your symptoms get worse, call your doctor.
- If you break a bone, talk to the doctor who prescribed Etidronate Disodium for you. You may need to stop using Etidronate Disodium for a short time until the bone begins to heal.
Possible Side Effects While Using Etidronate Disodium:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Heavy jaw feeling.
- Loosening of a tooth.
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
- Pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw.
- Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, loss of appetite, or puffy eyelids.
- Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
- Severe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.
- Trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing.
- Worsening bone pain or onset of new bone pain.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Etidronate Disodium, talk with your doctor:
- Mild bone, muscle, or joint pain.
- Mild diarrhea or nausea.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Etidronate Disodium, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
