Pamidronate, Injection pa-MIH-droh-nate

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: bisphosphonate; antihypercalcemic

Generic and brand names: pamidronate, injection; Aredia

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) caused by some types of cancer. This medicine is also used to treat Paget's disease of the bone and osteolytic bone lesions of multiple myeloma. This medicine also may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease
• a seizure disorder
• heart problems
• thyroid surgery

Tell your provider the date of your last dental exam and if you are scheduled for dental surgery. You may be at risk of a disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have dental surgery while taking this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given as a single dose by IV infusion (slow drip through a tube into a vein) over a period of 2 to 24 hours. If needed, a second infusion may be given after 7 or more days.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

You may have a mild fever 1 or 2 days after the infusion. If the fever continues or becomes severe, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may make you drowsy or lightheaded. Be careful in everyday activities, and do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may have some redness, swelling, or pain at the spot where the injection was given. If these continue or become worse, contact your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Blood in stools or black tarry stools; burning or pain with urination; decreased urination; confusion; muscle aches; tingling in lips, tongue, fingers or feet; fast or irregular heartbeat; lightheadedness or fainting; seizures; swelling in hands, ankles or feet, or any unexplained swelling; unusual bleeding or bruising.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, increased bone pain, stomach pain, runny nose, increased sweating, redness or swelling at injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium such as Maalox or Mylanta or magnesium supplements (follow instructions about how long to wait after taking this medicine)
• antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin
• aspirin or other salicylates
• calcium supplements and vitamin D (follow instructions about how long to wait after taking this medicine)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
• phosphate supplements
• thalidomide (Thalomid)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.