In patients who have undergone total hip replacement surgery (surgery to replace the hip joint with an artificial joint) or in patients who have experienced spinal cord injuries, etidronate is used to prevent and treat heterotopic ossification (growth of bone tissue in an area of the body other than the skeleton). Bones that have Paget’s disease are weak and brittle, and they may be misshapen, painful, or readily breakable. The class of medications known as bisphosphonates includes etidronate. It works by postponing the breakdown of existing bone and the development of new bone.

A tablet to be swallowed contains etidronate. It is typically taken on an empty stomach once per day. If symptoms return or get worse after some time, Paget’s disease treatment may need to be repeated. Etidronate should be taken every day at roughly the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the medication’s directions precisely. Never take it in larger or less amounts, or for longer periods of time than your doctor has advised.

If etidronate is not taken as directed, it may not work as intended, harm the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach), or result in mouth sores. If you don’t understand, don’t think you’ll remember, or are unable to follow these directions, tell your doctor right away.

• When seated or standing, swallow the pills with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces [180 to 240 mL]) of ordinary water.
• After taking etidronate, sit or stand up straight.
• You should wait two hours before and two hours after taking etidronate before eating, drinking, or taking any other medications (including vitamins or antacids).

It can take some time for your condition to get better if you are taking etidronate to treat Paget’s disease of the bones or to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking etidronate.

Etidronate is also occasionally used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, a condition brought on by corticosteroids in which the bones become brittle and prone to breaking (a type of medication that may cause osteoporosis). Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking etidronate,

• If you have an allergy to etidronate, any other medications, or any of the chemicals in etidronate tablets, let your doctor and chemist know right once. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: cancer chemotherapy; oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone; angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab (Avastin), everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress), pazopanib (Votrient), sorafenib (Nexavar), or sunitinib (Sutent); anticoagulants (‘ (Rayos). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you use calcium, magnesium, or aluminum-containing antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, etc.) or vitamin and mineral supplements, such as iron, make sure to take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking etidronate.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have had had esophageal issues, such as an esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the oesophagus that makes swallowing difficult), achalasia (a condition that inhibits the oesophagus’ capacity to transfer food towards the stomach), or osteomalacia (softening of bones due to a lack of minerals). Your physician might advise against taking etidronate.
• Inform your doctor if you are unable to sit or stand up straight, if you have or have ever had anaemia (a condition in which the red blood cells do not provide enough oxygen to all parts of the body), a low level of calcium in your blood, trouble swallowing, heartburn, ulcers, or other stomach issues, cancer, enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestines), any type of infection, particularly in your mouth, issues with your mouth, teeth, or gums, or any condition Your physician might need to adjust your medication’s dosage or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Moreover, let your doctor know if you intend to conceive in the future because etidronate may stay in your system for years after you stop taking it. If you become pregnant while or after receiving etidronate treatment, call your doctor right once.
• You should be aware that etidronate can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a dangerous disorder of the jaw bone, particularly if you have dental care while taking the drug. Before you begin taking etidronate, get your teeth checked by a dentist and have any necessary procedures, such as cleaning or repairing ill-fitting dentures, performed. While using etidronate, make sure you brush your teeth and take care of your oral hygiene. If you plan to have any dental procedures while taking this medication, see your doctor first.
• Etidronate may induce severe bone, muscle, or joint pain, so you should be aware of this. After taking etidronate for the first time, you can have this pain days, months, or even years later. Despite the fact that this type of discomfort may not appear until after you have been on etidronate for some time, it is crucial that you and your doctor understand that etidronate may be the cause. At any point throughout your etidronate treatment, if you have excruciating discomfort, call your doctor straight away. The pain you are experiencing might go away once you stop taking etidronate, as your doctor would advise.

While using etidronate, it’s critical that you consume enough calcium, vitamin D, and maintain a balanced diet. Your doctor will advise you on the best foods to eat in order to get these nutrients as well as the recommended daily portion size. Inform your doctor if you have trouble consuming enough of these items. In that situation, your doctor might suggest or prescribe a supplement.

Take the forgotten medication as soon as you remember it if you haven’t already eaten. Take the forgotten medication two hours after your last meal if you have already eaten. Skip the missed dose and carry on with your regular dosing plan, nevertheless, if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. Never take two doses at once to make up for missing ones.

Side effects are possible with etidronate. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• New or escalating heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest ache
• Edoema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes
• Hoarseness
• Having trouble swallowing
• Skin-related blisters

Further adverse effects of etidronate are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Hands or foot pain, burning, numbness, or tingling
• Muscular cramps and spasms

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how your body is responding to etidronate, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.