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| Pronunciation |
|
 (e
ti DROE nate dye SOW dee
um) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Didronel® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Bisphosphonate Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to another biphosphonate, etidronate, or any
other part of the medicine.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat osteoporosis (brittle bones) in
postmenopausal women and Paget's disease of the bone.
- Other uses include prevention and treatment of hypertropic
ossification, and glucocorticoid-induced
osteoporosis.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Etidronate disodium reduces normal and abnormal bone
destruction.
|
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Do not take calcium supplements, vitamins with minerals, or antacids
within 2 hours of this medicine.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Skip the missed one and return to your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and cigarette
smoking. Can worsen bone breakdown.
- This medicine works best when used with calcium/vitamin D supplements.
Ask healthcare provider about weight-bearing exercises like walking, or physical
therapy.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Fever.
- Swelling; salt and water gain.
- In Paget's disease, joint or bone
pain.
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|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any rash.
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|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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