Aredia

Aredia is a prescription medication used to treat high blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia) in patients with cancer and Paget's disease. Aredia belongs to a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. These medications work by slowing the breakdown of bone, increasing bone density, and decreasing the amount of calcium released from the bones.

This medication comes in an injectable form that is injected slowly into a vein (IV), over 2 to 24 hours. It is usually given in a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.

Aredia is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of high blood levels of calcium that may be caused by certain types of cancer and Paget's disease. It is also approved to prevent or delay bone damage caused by multiple myeloma or breast cancer.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Paget's disease: the recommended Aredia dosage is 30 mg daily for three days.

Multiple myeloma: the usual dosage is 90 mg once a month.

Breast cancer that has spread to bones: the recommended dosage is 90 mg every three to four weeks.

High blood calcium: the recommended dosage varies from 60 to 90 mg, as a single dose. Sometimes a second dose is necessary.

Aredia may cause serious side effects including:

• kidney damage. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function using a blood test. To minimize the risk of kidney damage, Aredia infusions should be given over a period of at least 2 hours and the dose should not exceed 90 mg.
• severe bone, muscle, or joint pain that can begin within days, months or years after your first Aredia injection. If, during treatment, you experience severe pain tell your doctor right away.
• a rare, but serious jaw problem, called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Your risk of developing this jaw problem is increased if you have dental surgery or treatment while you are receiving Aredia injections. Talk to your doctor before having dental treatments while you are receiving this medication.
• low blood calcium, phosphate, and magnesium which your doctor will monitor using a blood test.

See "Drug Precautions" section for serious side effects.

The following is a list of common, less severe Aredia side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are bothersome or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• excessive tiredness
• fever
• anemia
• upper respiratory tract infection (for example the common cold)
• redness, swelling, or pain in the injection site
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• heartburn
• change in ability to taste food
• sores in the mouth
• fever
• headache
• dizziness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• cough
• difficulty urinating or painful urination
• swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• painful or swollen gums
• loosening of the teeth
• tooth or jaw problems
• poor healing of the jaw
• vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
• bloody or black and tarry stools
• shortness of breath
• high blood pressure
• fast heartbeat
• fainting
• sudden tightening of muscles
• numbness or tingling around the mouth
• eye pain or tearing
• signs of allergic reaction including rash, itching, hives, swelling of face or throat, or difficulty breathing

This is not a complete list of Aredia side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• medications that affect the kidneys including:
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve),
  • certain diuretics ("water pills"),
  • thalidomide (Thalomid),
  • vancomycin (Vancocin),
  • cancer chemotherapy medications,
  • certain antibiotics
• oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone)

This is not a complete list of Aredia drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category D. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Aredia is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Talk to your doctor before having dental treatments while you are receiving pamidronate.

If you do not have high blood calcium, your doctor may recommend you take a calcium supplement and vitamin D supplements during your treatment.

To protect your kidneys, your doctor may order an IV fluid that will provide your body with additional fluids for kidney protection.

Pamidronate can cause severe bone, muscle, or joint pain that can begin within days, months or years after your first pamidronate injection. If, during treatment, you experience severe pain tell your doctor right away.