How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient etidronate disodium, which is a type of medicine known as a bisphosphonate. These agents are used in a variety of metabolic bone disorders. The bone cells continuously deposit and remove calcium and phosphorous, stored in a protein network that makes up the structure of the bone. Biphosphonates work by binding very tightly to bone, preventing the removal of calcium from the bone cells. This decreases breakdown and turnover of bone in the body and the increased calcium content leads to stronger bones. In Paget's disease, bone turnover is increased, causing the bones to become weak and prone to breaking. This medicine slows done the process of bone breakdown, so keeping bones stronger and helping to prevent fractures.

What is it used for?

Paget's disease of the bone

Warning!

The Didronel tablets should be taken with water on an empty stomach, ie no less than two hours after food and no less than two hours before food.

The amount of calcium in the blood and urine should be regularly monitored in people with kidney disease who are taking this medicine.

People with Paget's disease are more likely to break bones. If you fracture a bone while taking this medicine, treatment should be stopped and not restarted until the bone is completely healed.

Your doctor may wish to monitor various components of your blood and urine while you are taking this medicine, to make sure it is working properly.

Your course of treatment will be a maximum of either three or six months, depending on the dose your doctor has prescribed you. If your doctor decides re-treatment is necessary after this, etidronate should only be re-started after you have had an interval of at least three months without taking it.

Use with caution in

Chronic (long-term) diarrhoea

History of kidney stones

Mildly decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

Moderate to severely decreased kidney function

Pregnancy

Softening of the bones when there is lack of Vitamin D in the body

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant, and women of child-bearing age who take this medicine should use effective contraception. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

The safety of this medicine during breastfeeding has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Diarrhoea

Confusion

Nausea

Bone pain

Pain in the joints (arthralgia)

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

Rash or itching

Worsening of asthma

Worsening of peptic ulcer

Blood disorders

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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