Pamidronate (By injection)
pam-i-DROE-nate
Treats high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) in patients with cancer. Also treats bone damage caused by Paget’s disease, multiple myeloma, or breast cancer that has spread to the bones. This medicine is a bisphosphonate.
Drug classes
Calcium Regulator (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pamidronate injection is used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that may occur in patients with some types of cancer. It is also used to treat Paget’s disease of bone, multiple myeloma (tumors formed by the cells of the bone marrow), and certain types of bone metastases (the spread of cancer to the bones).
This medicine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, pamidronate injection is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Osteogenesis imperfecta (hereditary bone disorder).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Your doctor may also give you vitamins containing Vitamin D and calcium. Tell your doctor if you are unable to take these supplements.
Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems. However, it is very important to not drink too much liquid. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of liquids for you.
If a dose is missed:
Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
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 receiving cancer medicines or radiation treatments. Tell your doctor if you are using thalidomide (Thalomid®), medicine to treat an infection (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, tobramycin, Garamycin®, TOBI®), or a steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone). Tell your doctor if you also use a pain or arthritis medicine or NSAID such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®.
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to pamidronate or to similar medicines such as alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, tiludronate, Actonel®, Didronel®, Fosamax®, or Skelid®. You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, parathyroid problems, or a history of thyroid surgery. Tell your doctor if you have anemia, cancer, dehydration, a mineral imbalance, or a history of problems with your mouth or teeth (such as gum disease or dentures). Make sure your doctor knows if you have been treated with a bisphosphonate medicine in the past.
You may need a dental exam before you start to use this medicine. Tell your doctor if you develop pain, swelling, or numbness in your teeth or jaw.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. Try to avoid major dental work, such as dental surgery, while you are being treated with this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
This medicine may increase your risk for fractures of the thigh bone. Check with your doctor right away if you have a dull or aching pain in the thighs, groin, or hips.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
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
Blood in the urine, lower back pain, side pain, or sharp back pain just below the ribs
Confusion, mental changes, unusual tiredness or weakness, muscle spasms or stiffness
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, burning or painful urination
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Pain or other problems with your teeth or jaw
Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Trouble breathing
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat
Mild nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach pain or upset
Pain, redness, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Aredia, NovaPlus Pamidronate Disodium
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
