Didronel

Didronel (generic name: Etidronic acid / etidronate) belongs to a group of medicines known as bisphosphonates.

Didronel is used in the treatment of bone diseases including osteoporosis and Paget's disease. It is also used to prevent and treat abnormal deposits of calcium forming in soft tissue or muscle, which may occur after spinal cord injury or total hip replacement.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Didronel exactly as directed.

Your doctor will tell you how many Didronel tablets you need to take. Swallow the tablets as a single, oral dose at bedtime with a glass of water and preferably on an empty stomach.

It is recommended to take Didronel at least two hours before or two hours after eating foods high in calcium (eg. milk, cheese, yoghurt, tinned fish) or taking vitamin and mineral supplements or antacids containing calcium, iron, magnesium or aluminium.

For osteoporosis, Didronel is usually taken in repeated 90 day cycles with calcium tablets. However, Didronel and the calcium tablets are to be taken separately on different days. Your doctor will advise you of the specific instructions and duration of treatment.

For Paget's disease, the usual treatment time is up to six months, followed by a break for 3 months before starting treatment again.

For spinal cord injury, the total treatment period is 12 weeks.

For total hip replacement, Didronel treatment is usually started one month before the operation and continues for three months after the operation.

Precautions

Tell your doctor before taking Didronel, if:

you have a bone condition called osteomalacia;
you suffer from any kidney disorders, or have high blood or high urine calcium;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: etidronate disodium.