What is pamidronate?
Pamidronate is in a group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body.
Pamidronate is used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood related to cancer (also called hypercalcemia of malignancy). Pamidronate is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.
Pamidronate is used to treat bone damage caused by certain types of cancer such as breast cancer or bone marrow cancer. Pamidronate does not treat cancer. Use all other medications your doctor has prescribed for those conditions.
Pamidronate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about pamidronate?
Do not use pamidronate if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pamidronate or to other bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), tiludronate (Skelid), or zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa).
Before using pamidronate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a history of thyroid surgery, or low levels of platelets or red blood cells.
Some people using medicines similar to pamidronate have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums. You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre-existing dental problem.
Pamidronate can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before using pamidronate, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.
Serious side effects of pamidronate include high fever, severe bone pain, severe joint or muscle pain, urinating less than usual or not at all, swelling, rapid weight gain, eye pain, vision changes, confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, muscle weakness or limp feeling, or seizure.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using pamidronate?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pamidronate or to other bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), tiludronate (Skelid), or zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa).
To make sure you can safely use pamidronate, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
Some people using medicines similar to pamidronate have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums.
You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery or pre-existing dental problems.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use pamidronate if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether pamidronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.