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Sodium clodronate

  • Avoid food, milk, iron and mineral supplements, and indigestion remedies for 1 hour before and 1 hour after taking this medicine.
  • Drink about 6-8 glasses of water each day.
  • You may be advised to have a dental check up before starting treatment with sodium clodronate.

About sodium clodronate

Type of medicine Bisphosphonate
Used for Hypercalcaemia (too much calcium in the blood)
Some types of bone pain
Also called Bonefos®; Clasteon®; Loron 520®
Available as Tablets, capsules, injection

Sodium clodronate works by binding to bone and reducing the rate at which bone is broken down.

When bone is broken down, calcium is lost from the bone and seeps into the blood. In cancer, there is excessive breakdown of bone which leads to high levels of calcium in the blood. As sodium clodronate prevents bone from being broken down as quickly, it reduces these high levels of calcium in the blood that are a result of cancer.

Before taking sodium clodronate

Before taking sodium clodronate make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.
  • If you have an upset stomach or bowel.
  • If you are due to have any dental treatment. Your doctor will advise that your dental treatment is completed before starting this medicine.
  • 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 sodium clodronate

  • Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Try to take sodium clodronate at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
  • If you do forget to take a dose, don't worry, just take the next dose when it is due.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Avoid food for at least one hour before and one hour after each dose of sodium clodronate. You should also avoid milk, any drinks containing milk, iron supplements, mineral supplements and indigestion remedies during this two hour period as these prevent the sodium clodronate from working as it should.
  • Drink plenty of water while you are taking sodium clodronate.
  • 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 sodium clodronate.
  • Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to check your calcium levels and do other tests from time to time.
  • If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with sodium clodronate as some are not, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Can sodium clodronate cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which 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
Feeling or being sick Stick to simple foods and try taking half of your dose in the morning and the remaining half in the evening
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids and try taking half of your dose in the morning and the remaining half in the evening
Skin rash, redness or itching, difficulty breathing If troublesome, speak with your doctor

Important: If you experience pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw, a "heavy jaw feeling" or loosening of a tooth, tell your doctor.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store sodium clodronate

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2008 DocID:
3464		 DocRef:
dils2665		 Last Updated:
9 Jun 2008		 Date of Next Review:
9 Jun 2010		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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