OVERDOSE
Clinical experience with acute Didronel overdosage is
extremely limited. Decreases in serum calcium following
substantial overdosage may be expected in some patients.
Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia also may occur in some
of these patients. Some patients may develop vomiting.
In one event, an 18-year-old female who ingested an estimated
single dose of 4800 to 6000 mg (67 to 100 mg/kg) of Didronel
was reported to be mildly hypocalcemic (7 .5 2 mg/ dl)
and experienced paresthesia of the fingers. Hypocalcemia
resolved 6 hours after lavage and treatment with intravenous
calcium gluconate. A 92-year-old female who accidentally
received 1600 mg of etidronate disodium per day for 3.5
days experienced marked diarrhea and required treatment
for electrolyte imbalance. Orally administered etidronate
disodium may cause hematologic abnormalities in some patients
(see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Etidronate disodium suppresses bone turnover and may
retard mineralization of osteoid laid down during the
bone accretion process. These effects are dose and time
dependent. Osteoid which may accumulate noticeably at
doses of 10 to 20 mg/kg/day of chronic, continuous dosing
mineralizes normally posttherapy.
Prolonged continuous treatment (chronic overdosage) has
been reported to cause nephrotic syndrome and fracture.
Gastric lavage may remove unabsorbed drug. Standard procedures
for treating hypocalcemia, including the administration
of Ca++ intravenously , would be expected to restore physiologic,
amounts of ionized calcium and relieve signs and symptoms
of hypocalcemia. Such treatment has been effective.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Didronel tablets are contraindicated in patients with
known hypersensitivity to etidronate disodium or in patients
with clinically overt osteomalacia.
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