Treats high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) that sometimes occur in patients with cancer
Brand Names:
Didronel I.V
Contraindications:
You should not receive this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to etidronate, or if you have kidney disease
Uses:
Injectable
You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or chemotherapy treatment center. A nurse or other caregiver trained to give IV medicines will give your treatment.
An intravenous (in-tra-VEEN-us) or IV injection is given through a tube put in one of your veins, usually in your arm, wrist, hand, or sometimes in your chest.
This medicine is given over a period of two hours or longer. Your IV tube will need to remain in place for the entire time.
The treatment will be repeated for 3 or more days. Be sure to keep all scheduled appointments to receive the correct amount of this medicine.
After you receive the full IV treatment, your doctor may ask you to start using the tablet form of this medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Call your doctor for instructions.
Storage:
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. 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.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Warnings:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
