AREDIA (Pamidronate)

Brand name: AREDIA   

Generic name: Pamidronate 

Other names : Pamidronate disodium, ADP Sodium 

Therapeutic Class: Biphosphonates 

Manufacturer / Distributor: Novartis 

Availability: Aredia  is available by prescription only  

FDA Approval - Aredia was approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1994 for regulation of blood calcium levels and reduction of bone resorption or pain associated with certain disease such as breast cancer. 

Dosage form: Aredia   is given by infusion into a vein (intravenous, IV)  

Indications:  Aredia is used to treat hypercalcemia (high blood calcium) that is associated with malignancy. The drug is shown to be effective in the treatment of hypercalcemia resulted from bone metastases.   

Aredia is used to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) and cancer that has spread to bone from other tumors (metastatic breast cancer for example). Aredia is also used to reduce the process of disintegration of the bones of patients with Paget's disease of bone. 

In addition to theses malignancies above, your doctor may use Aredia for other medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor for more information.  

Dosage: to prescribe an appropriate dose of Aredia, your doctor will consider your medical condition, weight, severity of the disease, and other drugs you are taking. Reaction of your body to the drug can also implicate in the choice or modification of the treatment. Whatever the dose recommended by your health care provider, it is very important that you follow the indications and take Aredia as indicated.  

If you have hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) due to the cancer, your doctor will base on the level of calcium in your blood to prescribe you an appropriate dose. In most cases, the maximum dose per treatment is one intravenous infusion of 90 mg or more in the space of 2 to 4 days.  

In the case of bone metastases and multiple myeloma, you may be recommended to take 90 mg dose of Aredia intravenously every 3 or 4 weeks. In general, the injection lasts 2 to 4 hours.  

Overdose:  although almost nonexistent, overdose of aredia can occur. If that happens, contact your doctor or emergency room immediately; they will make an intravenous infusion of calcium in your body to eliminate or reduce symptoms. Symptoms of Aredia overdose include:  

• fever  
• hypotension  
• change in taste.  

Missing dose: if you missed a dose of Aredia, talk to your doctor to know what you should do. Your doctor may advise you to take or completely skip the missed dose. Taking chemotherapy drugs is a serious health concern; contact your doctor before the date schedule for the therapy if you cannot go to the hospital for the treatment. Do not stay home because you are experiencing side effects; Aredia cause side effects in most patients.  

Contraindication: Aredia is contraindicated in cases of allergy to one of its constituents. Tell  your doctor or pharmacist about any history of allergy to: 

• skelid (tiludronate) 
• etidronate (Didronel)  
• alendronate (Fosamax) 
• risedronate (Actonel) 
• Zoledronic acid (Zometa).  

Aredia is contraindicated in pregnancy or breastfeeding. See your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during the treatment; Aredia can cause serious problems to the fetus.  

Before taking Aredia, tell your doctor if you have or had a history of thyroid surgery, seizures, liver or kidney disease, thyroid surgery or dental surgery. These factors may obligate him to prescribe another drug or change the way you should use the drug.  

Mechanism of Action (MOA): Aredia contributes to slowing bone loss, increasing bone density (thickness) and decreasing the amount of calcium released from bones into the blood. 

Interactions: whenever possible, Aredia should not be administered with another bisphosphonate drug. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicines during the treatment. In addition, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter or nonprescription medications such as vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products.   

Side effects: Aredia may cause side effects which can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. Most common Aredia side effects include:coughing, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, abdominal or stomach pain, bone pain, dizziness, indigestion, loss of appetite; swelling of your hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; difficulty or painful urination; fatigue or general weakness; Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Although rare, Aredia can cause serious side effects which require immediate medical attention; contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:

• shortness of breath 
• eye pain or tearing  
• fast heartbeat 
• fainting 
• vomiting blood (bloody vomit)  
• jaw numbness and pain 
• painful or swollen gums 
• loosening of the teeth 
• bloody or black and tarry stools 
• sudden tightening of muscles 
• Numbness or tingling around your mouth or cheeks.  

References: 

1 - santecheznous.com, Aredia 

2 - nlm.nih.gov