Pamidronate Disodium (Aredia®)

Specific Therapies for Paget’s Disease of Bone in U.S.

Calcitonin

• Salmon calcitonin (By injection Miacalcin®)

Bisphosphonates

• Etidronate disodium (Didronel®)
• Pamidronate disodium (Aredia®)
• Alendronate sodium (Fosamax®)
• Tiludronate disodium (Skelid®)
• Risedronate sodium (Actonel®)

Pamidronate Disodium (Aredia®)

Dose

• 30 mg intravenous infusion over 4 hours on 3 consecutive days is approved regimen but seldom used
• 60 mg or 90 mg intravenous infusions over 2-4 hours are commonly used in mild disease a single infusion is effective, 2-3 or more infusions may be required in more severe disease
• Depending upon the response to the initial treatment, the drug may be re-administered at irregular intervals

Side Effects

• About 1/3 of patients have an acute phase reaction within 24 hours, including fever, myalgia and slight leucopenia. Seldom occurs afters initial infusion
• Inflammation of the eye occurs rarely

Drug Resistance

• Primary: rare
• Secondary: may occur, but incidence is unknown