Pamidronate
About
Pamidronate is a hypocalcemic agent that belongs to the bisphosphonates class. It is mainly used in lowering blood calcium levels and bone metastases/lesions in cancer patients. Besides this, it is also used to treat mild to moderate Paget's disease. Hypercalcemia (increased calcium levels) is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is elevated due to certain conditions. Paget’s disease is a serious condition of bone that disrupts the replacement of old bone tissue with new bone tissue, resulting in the new bone that is abnormally shaped, weak, and brittle.
Pamidronate contains Pamidronate as an active ingredient, which belongs to the class of bisphosphonates. It works by inhibiting the osteoclast bone resorption, which causes bone breakdown. When bone is broken down, the calcium in the bone is released into the bloodstream. Thus, it helps retain the normal density of bones and restores bone integrity, bone strength and bone health.
Pamidronate may cause certain side effects such as injection site reactions, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, dizziness, mouth sores, constipation, and cough. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist for a longer period, please consult your doctor. Pamidronate is a parenteral preparation. A trained healthcare professional will administer it. Hence, do not self-administer.
Pamidronate should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Before receiving Pamidronate, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medications you are using to rule out any interactions. Pamidronate should be used under caution if you have/had kidney disease, liver problems, bone disorders, musculoskeletal pain, and high blood pressure. Pamidronate is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to foetal harm, and whether this medicine can be used for breastfeeding mothers is unknown. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before receiving Pamidronate. This medicine is not recommended for use in children as safety and efficacy have not been established.
Uses of Pamidronate
Medicinal Benefits
Pamidronate contains Pamidronate as an active ingredient, which belongs to the class of bisphosphonates. It works by inhibiting the osteoclast bone resorption, which causes bone breakdown. When bone is broken down, the calcium in the bone is released into the bloodstream. Thus, it helps retain the normal density of bones and restores bone integrity, strength, and health.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pamidronate
- Injection site reactions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Cough
- Fever
- Mouth sores
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Pamidronate should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Before receiving Pamidronate, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medication history you are using to rule out any interactions. Pamidronate should be used under caution if you have/had kidney disease, liver problems, bone disorders, musculoskeletal pain, and high blood pressure. Pamidronate is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to foetal harm, and whether this medicine can be used for breastfeeding mothers is unknown. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before receiving Pamidronate. This medicine is not recommended for use in children as safety and efficacy have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Pamidronate may interact with certain medicines used to treat mood disorders (e.g. lithium), immunomodulatory medicines (thalidomide), diuretics (furosemide, torsemide), aminoglycosides (gentamycin, neomycin), antibiotics (erythromycin).
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking to prevent unpleasant effects.
Drug-Disease interactions: Inform your doctor if you have conditions like kidney disease, liver problems, bone disorders, or musculoskeletal pain.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsuming alcohol while on treatment with Pamidronate is not recommended as it may result in unpleasant side effects or make you more susceptible to the effects of alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Pamidronate. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Pamidronate. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafePamidronate will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, avoid driving vehicles.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Pamidronate. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Pamidronate. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafePamidronate is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try to consume calcium and vitamin D in their diet as it helps make stronger bones and avoid everyday osteoporosis dangers.
- Regular exercise like weight-bearing exercises are important for maintaining bone health.
- Calcium is important for making bones strong. Vitamin D is equally important, which helps ensure calcium absorption and retention in bones, so take food high in calcium and vitamins.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest certain blood tests, like serum calcium, CBC, and kidney function tests, to check for any unpleasant effects.
- Bone density scans are used to check bone mineral density (BMD).
- Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations may also be advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypercalcemia: Hypercalcemia is when the calcium level in the blood is higher than normal. Too much calcium in the blood can weaken the bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with working the heart and brain. It is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, stomach pain, nausea, bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion and fatigue.
Paget's disease: Paget's disease is a chronic disease of bone that disrupts the replacement of old bone tissue with new bone tissue, resulting in the new bone that is abnormally shaped, weak and brittle. It most commonly occurs in the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs. Symptoms include bone pain, joint pain (especially in the back, hips, and knees), headache, enlargement and bowing of the thighs (femurs) and lower legs (tibias), and enlargement of the skull in the area of the forehead.
FAQs
Pamidronate contains Pamidronate as an active ingredient, which works by inhibiting osteoclast bone resorption that causes bone breakdown.
Pamidronate helps regulate the calcium level in the blood. This maintains bone formation and also helps the body to reverse bone loss. Due to this, the number of cells that damage bones becomes comparatively less.
