What is Pamidronate?
Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo Nayt) medicine that affects the formation of bone and its breakdown within the body. This could slow down bone loss and help prevent bone fractures from occurring.
Pamidronate is a treatment for Paget's disorder of the bones. Pamidronate is also used to reduce blood levels of calcium that result from cancer (also known as hypercalcemia due to malignancies).
Pamidronate is also used to treat bone loss caused by certain kinds of cancer, like breast cancer or bone marrow cancer. Pamidronate doesn't treat the cancer by itself.Pamidronate can also be used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of Pamidronate
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, like hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,
Pamidronate may cause serious side effects. Contact your physician immediately if you experience:
- High fever;
- A new or uncharacteristic pain is felt in your hip or thigh.
- A seizure;
- Kidney problems: no or little urinary frequency; swelling in your ankles and feet; being fatigued or short of breath.
- Low potassium: leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering of your chest, thirsty or increased urine, numbness or tingling muscle weakness, or an aching sensation;
- Low levels of calcium—muscle spasms or contractions, numbness, or a tingly sensation (around your mouth or even in your toes and fingers).
Common negative side effects of pamidronate include:
- Fever, headache;
- Bone pain;
- Elevated blood pressure
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Low levels of calcium or phosphate in the form of
- Redness, pain, swelling, or a lump that is hard beneath your skin, around an IV needle
It isn't a complete listing of all negative side negative effects.Other effects may also be experienced. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
prednisone, furosemide, Lasix, alendronate, dexamethasone, Fosamax, and Reclast
Warnings
Pamidronate could harm a baby who is not yet born. Avoid getting pregnant when taking pamidronate. Be sure to inform your doctor whether you're expecting.
Contact your physician if you suffer from muscle spasms or the sensation of tingling or numbness (in your feet and hands or around your mouth), as well as unusual or new hip discomfort, little or no urinary frequency, or swelling in your legs.
Before you take this drug
Do not take this medication if you're allergic to mannitol or the bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, etidronate, risedronate, tiludronate, or zoledronic acid).
To ensure that pamidronate is safe for you, inform your doctor if you've ever experienced:
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as a low level of magnesium or potassium within your blood);
- Kidney disease;
- The liver condition
- It could be a dental issue (you may require an examination of your teeth prior to receiving the pamidronate).
In some cases, it is possible for this medication to result in bone loss (osteonecrosis) in the jaw. Signs of this include jaw pain, swelling or red gums, loose teeth, or a slow healing process after dental treatment. The longer you take Pamidronate, the more likely it is that you will get this disorder.
Osteonecrosis in the jaw could be more likely if you've had cancer, received chemotherapy or steroids, received radiation, or Other risk factors are blood clotting problems, anemia (low red blood cells), or a previous dental issue.
Pamidronate could cause harm to a baby who is not yet born. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while using this drug. Consult your physician in the event that you fall pregnant. It is also possible to take birth control for a couple of weeks after the last dose of pamidronate. This medication can have a lasting effect on your body.
It is unclear if the pamidronate is absorbed into breast milk or whether it is harmful to nursing infants. Do not breastfeed if you are taking the drug pamidronate.Pamidronate is not a drug that has been approved to be used by anyone younger than 18 years of age.
How to take Pamidronate?
Follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Don't take pamidronate in greater or lesser quantities or for longer periods than suggested.
Pamidronate can be injected into a vein via an IV. It is possible to be taught how to inject the IV at home. Do not inject yourself with this medication if you do not know how to administer the injection properly, and eliminate IV tubing, needles, and any other devices employed.The medicine should be administered slowly, and the infusion may take between 2 and 24 hours to be completed.
Pamidronate can be given as a single dose. It can also be repeated over three days or administered every 3–4 weeks. The frequency at which you get pamidronate and the duration of your infusion will depend on the reason why you're using this medication. Follow the instructions of your physician.
Pamidronate is a medicine in powder form that needs to be mixed with liquid (diluent) prior to use. If you're using the injectables yourself, make certain you are aware of how to mix and store the drug.Do not mix pamidronate in a solution containing calcium (such as Ringer's lactated solution) or with other medications within the same bags or lines.Your kidney function could need to be monitored when you are taking pamidronate.
Make sure you pay particular attention to your dental hygiene when taking Pamidronate. Make sure to floss and brush your teeth on a regular basis. If you require any dental procedure (especially surgery), be sure to inform your dentist beforehand that you're using pamidronate.
Pamidronate is a small part of a comprehensive treatment that could also include dietary changes as well as taking vitamin and calcium supplements. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully.
Keep pamidronate in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture. Mixture medicines must be taken for a minimum of one hour.The single-use bottle (bottle) of this medication is only for one usage. Dispose of it after just one use, regardless of whether there is any remaining medicine inside.
Utilize an empty needle and syringe just once. Be sure to follow any local or state regulations regarding the disposal of used needles and syringes. Make use of a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist for one and how to dispose of the container). Keep the container out of reach of pets and children.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypercalcemia in Malignancy:
Moderate hypercalcemia (corrected serum calcium range of approximately 12 mg/dL or 13.5 mg/dL):
60-90 mg single intravenous infusion for a two- to 24-hour period
Severe hypercalcemia (corrected by serum calcium that is greater than 13.5 mg/dL):
90 mg intravenous infusion for 2 to 24 hours
Retreatment:
Patients who have an initial response that is complete or partial can be treated again if serum calcium levels do not improve or stay normal after the initial treatment.
A minimum of a seven-day interval between treatments is suggested to ensure a complete response to the first dose.
The dose and the method of the retreatment are similar to those of the initial treatment.
Treatment: Treatment for hypercalcemia of severe or moderate severity that is associated with malignancy or cancer, with or without bone metastases
Usual Adult Dose for Paget's Disease:
moderate to severe Pagest's Disease of the Bone:
30 mg intravenous injections per day, spread over 4 hours over 3 consecutive days, for a total dose of 90 mg
Comments: If clinically indicated, you should withdraw patients according to the dose of the initial treatment.
90 mg intravenous infusion given for 2 hours each week for 4 weeks
Time of therapy 24 months of therapy showed overall benefits.
Comments:
Patients with Bence-Jones-like proteinuria as well as dehydration must be hydrated prior to the infusion of the drug.
Limited information is available on the use of pamidronate disodium in many myeloma patients who have an elevated serum creatinine of more than or equivalent to 3 mg/dL.
Usual Adult Dose for Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Breast Cancer:
90 mg intravenous injection administered over a period of 2 hours, every 3–4 weeks
Therapy duration: 24-months of treatment have demonstrated general positive effects.
What happens If I miss a dose?
Consult your physician for treatment when you have missed the dose of pamidronate.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Follow the doctor's advice regarding any restrictions regarding food, drinks, or activities.
Interaction with other drugs
Pamidronate is known to harm the kidneys. This is especially true if you are also taking other medicines, like chemotherapy, antivirals, injected antibiotics, medicines for bowel issues, medicines to stop rejection of organ transplants, injection-able osteoporosis medications, and some arthritis and pain medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).
Other medications can interfere with pamidronate. This includes medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about the medicines you are currently taking as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.