Aredia (Pamidronate Disodium) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 24, 2012

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Osteoporosis is a condition of increased susceptibility to fracture due to fragile bone.
Osteoporosis weakens bone and increases risk of bone fracture.
Bone mass (bone density) decreases after 35 years of age and decreases more rapidly in women after menopause.
Key risk factors for osteoporosis include genetics, lack of exercise, lack of calcium and vitamin D, personal history of fracture as an adult, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, history of rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, and family history of osteoporosis.
Patients with osteoporosis have no symptoms until bone fractures occur.
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Treatments for osteoporosis, in addition to prescription osteoporosis medications, include stopping use of alcohol and cigarettes, and assur...

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OVERDOSE

There have been several cases of drug maladministration of intravenous Aredia (pamidronate disodium) in hypercalcemia patients with total doses of 225 mg to 300 mg given over 2 1A to 4 days. All of these patients survived, but they experienced hypocalcemia that required intravenous and/or oral administration of calcium. Single doses of Aredia (pamidronate disodium) should not exceed 90 mg and the duration of the intravenous infusion should be no less than 2 hours. (See WARNINGS.)

In addition, one obese woman (95 kg) who was treated with 285 mg of Aredia (pamidronate disodium) /day for 3 days experienced high fever (39.5°C), hypotension (from 170/90 mmHg to 90/60 mmHg), and transient taste perversion, noted about 6 hours after the first infusion. The fever and hypotension were rapidly corrected with steroids.

If overdosage occurs, symptomatic hypocalcemia could also result; such patients should be treated with short-term intravenous calcium.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Aredia (pamidronate disodium) is contraindicated in patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to Aredia (pamidronate disodium) or other bisphosphonates.

Last reviewed on RxList: 5/23/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.