Pamidronate Disodium is used for the treatment of bone damage and pain due to bone marrow cancer or breast cancer that has spread to the bone.
Bone marrow cancer is cancer that forms in a type of white blood cells called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. This condition causes cancer to accumulate in the bone marrow. It is where they crow out healthy blood cells. Some signs and symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Bone pain (spine or chest)
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Mental fogginess or confusion
- Weight loss
- Frequent infections
- Excessive thirst
- Weakness or numbness in your legs
Breast cancer that has spread to the bone is known as secondary or metastatic breast cancer in the bone. The most common sites that this condition can affect are:
- Spine
- Ribs
- Pelvis
- Long bones in the arms and legs
This medication may also be used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood. It is called hypercalcemia. This is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work. Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. Pamidronate Disodium may as well be used to treat Paget’s disease. This condition interferes with your body’s normal recycling process. It is in which the new bone tissue gradually replaces old bone tissue. This disease most commonly occurs in the pelvis, spine, skull, and legs.
Pamidronate Disodium is in the class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. These agents are used in a variety of metabolic bone disorders. This drug slows the release of calcium from bones to lower blood calcium levels. This also lessens the risk of broken bones and reducing bone pain. Pamidronate Disodium is a product available in 30 mg or 90 mg vials for intravenous administration. Each available dosage vial contains Pamidronate Disodium as an active ingredient. It is a white to practically white powder that is soluble in water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this medication.
How does Pamidronate Disodium work?
There is a continual turnover of bone in the body; bone is formed by cells called osteoblasts and is broken down by cells called osteoclasts. These cells continuously deposit and remove calcium and phosphorous. These are stored in a protein network that makes up the structure of the bone. Pamidronate Disodium works by preventing the osteoclasts from breaking down the bone. They do this by binding very tightly to the bone and preventing the calcium from being removed.
Cancer of the bone marrow that has spread to the bone from other sited can also cause an excessive breakdown. This causes areas of bone weakness and pain. This medication binds to the bone and prevents it from being broken down in these situations too.
Bone is broken down by the osteoclasts removing calcium from the bone structure. The calcium then seeps into the blood so bone cancer can also result in high levels of calcium in the blood. Therefore, Pamidronate Disodium prevents the calcium from being removed from the bone.
How to use Pamidronate Disodium?
The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, weight, and response to the treatment. You must take this medication exactly as it is given by your doctor. You should not take more or less than the prescription. Your doctor may direct you to start at a low dose and gradually increase it.
Pamidronate Disodium is to be given by slow injection into a vein. This is given for at least 2 hours or as directed by your doctor. The usual maximum adult dose of this medication is 90 milligrams for a single dose. Before using, check the product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol before injecting each dose. To get the most benefit from it, use the medication regularly. Remember to use the prescription at the same time and in the same way each day. Let your doctor know if your condition gets worse or if it does not improve. If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
What are the side effects of the Pamidronate Disodium?
Common side effects:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- Constipation
- Bone pain
- Infusion site reactions (swelling, redness, pain, or hard painful lump)
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- New or unusual pain in your thigh or hip
- High fever
- A seizure
- Low potassium (constipation, leg cramps, increased thirst or urination, or muscle weakness)
- Kidney problems (little or no urination, feeling tired or short of breath)
- Low calcium levels (muscle spasms or contractions, and numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth or fingers/toes)
Get emergency medical help if you any signs of an allergic reaction:
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives or itching
- Swelling of your lips, face, throat, or tongue
Warnings and Precautions
- This medicine may make you feel sleepy or dizzy. If affected, you should avoid potentially unsafe activities such as driving or using any machinery.
- You should not share this or any of your drugs with others even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
- This medication should be used with caution in people with a decreased kidney or liver function, heart disease, and those who had surgery on their thyroid gland.
- Do not take Pamidronate Disodium if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.
- This is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- While having this treatment, limit alcoholic beverages.
- Before using this drug, tell your doctor if you have a medical history of severe loss of body water and heart failure.
