Sign inBefore taking etidronate disodium
Before taking etidronate disodium make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you have, or have ever had, kidney problems.
- If you have osteomalacia (a disease in which bones soften).
- If you are having, or are due to have, any dental treatment.
- If you have a broken bone which has not yet completely healed.
- If you have a bowel problem such as enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestine).
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take etidronate disodium
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
- Take etidronate disodium exactly as directed by your doctor. Swallow your dose with a drink of water and avoid food for at least two hours before and two hours after each dose.
- You should also avoid milk, any drinks containing milk, iron supplements, mineral supplements, laxatives and indigestion remedies for at least two hours before and two hours after each dose. This is because these can prevent etidronate disodium from being absorbed properly.
- Try to take etidronate disodium at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
- If you do forget to take a dose, do not worry, just continue on the next day as usual. Do not take two doses together to make up.
Getting the most from your treatment
- If you are having any dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking a bisphosphonate as some dental treatments are not recommended while you are taking etidronate disodium.
- Eating a well-balanced diet and taking regular exercise can help bones stay strong. Remember to follow any lifestyle advice your doctor has given you.
- Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will most likely test your blood and urine every few months.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with etidronate disodium.
Can etidronate disodium cause problems?
Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids |
| Feeling sick, abdominal pain | Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods |
| Constipation | Try to eat a well-balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day |
| New or worse bone pain, broken bones | Tell your doctor as your treatment may need to be interrupted |
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- A severe itchy skin rash
- Fever, sore throat or an infection that you can not shake off
- Unexplained bruising
- Pain, swelling, numbness of the jaw, a "heavy jaw feeling" or loosening of a tooth
- Thigh, hip, or groin pain
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store etidronate disodium
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Didronel® 200 mg Tablets, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2008, accessed August 2009.
- British National Formulary; 57th Edition (March 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London