Common uses

Treating adults with Paget disease, and preventing and treating abnormal bone growth following hip replacement surgery or spinal cord injury. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Didronel is a bisphosphonate. It works by slowing the resorption of bone and allowing new bone to be formed.

Before using

Some medical conditions may interact with Didronel . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have pain or burning upon swallowing, stomach or bowel problems, heartburn, chest pain, kidney problems, cancer, or asthma
• if you are having chemotherapy or radiation treatment

Directions

Since calcium riche foods such as dairy products, antacids, vitamins with mineral supplements, and certain medications can interfere with the absorption of Didronel, the medication should be taken in an empty stomach, 2 hours before eating or taking other medications.

Cautions

• Do not drink alcohol, smoke, or use other tobacco products while taking Didronel .
• It is important to have enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your diet or about taking dietary supplements such as calcium or vitamin D.
• Consider weight-bearing exercises to increase the calcium density of bones.
• Didronel may cause bone jaw problems in some patients. Your risk may be greater if you have cancer, poor dental hygiene, or certain other conditions (eg, anemia, blood clotting problems, infections, dental problems). Your risk may also be greater if you use certain medicines or therapies (eg, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation). Talk to your doctor about having a dental exam before you start to use Didronel . Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatment while you use Didronel .
• Lab tests, including calcium levels, may be performed while you use Didronel . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Didronel should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Didronel can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Didronel contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Didronel while you are pregnant. It is not known if Didronel is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Didronel , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible 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.
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
• Headache
• Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
• Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
• Confusion
• Leg cramps
• Pain in the joints (arthralgia)
• Rash or itching
• Worsening of asthma
• Worsening of peptic ulcer
• Blood disorders
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.

If you take too much

Very little is known about what to expect from a Didronel overdose, as there have been very few cases reported. Based on these few cases, the following Didronel overdose symptoms may occur:
• Low levels of calcium or phosphate in the blood
• Unusual sensations in the fingers (such as burning or tingling)
• Diarrhea.

Additional information

Non-drug therapy may also help prevent bone loss. Consult your doctor about a weight-bearing exercise plan or other lifestyle changes that may be helpful. Follow all diet recommendations for adequate daily calcium and vitamin D intake. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Drug interactions

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side effects such as bleeding may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Didronel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.