Health Center

Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley

Drugs that are not chemotherapy

Pamidronate injection

What does pamidronate injection do?

PAMIDRONATE (Aredia®) lowers the amount of calcium in your blood. High blood calcium levels can make you confused and tired, and cause stomach pain and muscle weakness. Pamidronate, by lowering calcium levels in the blood, help relieve these symptoms. Generic pamidronate injection is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive pamidronate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

·kidney disease

·an unusual or allergic reaction to pamidronate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

·pregnant or trying to get pregnant

·breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Pamidronate is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What other medicines can interact with pamidronate?

No interactions have been reported.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving pamidronate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

·blood in your stool

·increase in blood pressure

·muscle cramps or weakness

·very stiff muscles, unable to move easily

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

·bone pain

·constipation

·fever

·loss of appetite

·nausea, vomiting

·pain or difficulty passing urine

·redness, pain, swelling, or irritation at the injection site

·tiredness

·upset or sour stomach

What do I need to watch for while I receive pamidronate?

If you get black, tarry stools or vomit up what look like coffee grounds, call your prescriber or health care professional at once. You may have a bleeding ulcer.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at temperature, less than 30 degreesC (86 degreesF). After reconstitution with sterile water for injection, store under refrigeration, 2-8[0]C (36-46[0]F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

[ Revised 1/1/95]

This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.

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