Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Name

  1. Aredia


Pamidronate injection is used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that may occur in patients with some types of cancer. It is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone, multiple myeloma (tumors formed by the cells of the bone marrow), and certain types of bone metastases (the spread of cancer to the bones).


Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, pamidronate injection is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

  • Osteogenesis imperfecta (hereditary bone disorder).

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Powder for Solution
  • Solution

Before Using





Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of pamidronate injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.


Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pamidronate injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving pamidronate injection.


Information about this pamidronate-intravenous-route
Pregnancy Category Explanation



Drug Interactions


Other Interactions


Other Medical Problems


  • Anemia or
  • Dehydration or
  • Heart disease or
  • Kidney disease or
  • Leukopenia (low number of white blood cells) or
  • Mineral imbalance (e.g., low calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, or potassium in the blood) or
  • Cancer, history of or
  • Dental or tooth problems or
  • Dental procedures or
  • Poor oral hygiene or
  • Surgery (e.g., dental surgery)—May increase risk for severe jaw problems.
  • Parathyroid disease (e.g., hypoparathyroidism) or
  • Thyroid surgery, history of—These conditions may increase your risk of having hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood).

Proper Use


Your doctor may also give you vitamins containing Vitamin D and calcium. Tell your doctor if you are unable to take these supplements.

Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems. However, it is also important to not drink too much liquid. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of liquids for you.




  • For injection dosage form:
    • For treating hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood):
      • Adults—60 to 90 milligrams (mg) in a solution to be injected over 2 to 24 hours into a vein. If your doctor decides that you need additional doses, you will receive the medicine again after at least 7 days have passed.
    • For treating Paget's disease of bone:
      • Adults—30 mg in a solution to be injected over 4 hours into a vein, for 3 consecutive days. Your doctor will decide if you need more than 3 doses.
    • For treating multiple myeloma:
      • Adults—90 mg in a solution to be injected over 4 hours into a vein once per month. Your doctor will decide how long this treatment should continue.
    • For treating bone metastases:
      • Adults—90 mg in a solution to be injected over 2 hours into a vein once every 3 to 4 weeks. Your doctor will decide how long this treatment should continue.


It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits after you have received pamidronate injection. If your condition has improved, your progress must still be checked. The results of laboratory tests or the occurrence of certain symptoms will tell your doctor if your condition is coming back and a second treatment is needed.


For patients using this medicine for hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood):

  • Your doctor may want you to follow a low-calcium diet. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Your doctor will need to know if you have a history of problems with your mouth or teeth (e.g., gum disease). Make sure your doctor knows if you have been treated with a bisphosphonate medicine, such as alendronate (Fosamax®), etidronate (Didronel®), pamidronate (Aredia®), risedronate (Actonel®), or tiludronate (Skelid®) in the past.

You may need to have a dental exam before you start using this medicine.

It is important that you check with your doctor before having any dental procedures or surgeries done while you are receiving pamidronate. Tell your doctor right away if you have jaw tightness, swelling, numbing, or pain or a loose tooth. This could be symptoms of a severe problem of your jaw.

Make sure you tell your doctor about any new medical problems, especially with your teeth or jaws. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe bone, joint, or muscle pain after receiving this medicine.



Side Effects



More common

  1. Abdominal or stomach cramps
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bloody in the urine or stools
  4. blurred vision
  5. chest pain
  6. chills
  7. confusion
  8. convulsions (seizures)
  9. decrease in the amount of urine
  10. dizziness
  11. drowsiness
  12. fainting
  13. fast or irregular heartbeat
  14. fever
  15. headache
  16. increased thirst
  17. loss of appetite
  18. muscle pain, cramps, spasms, or twitching
  19. nausea or vomiting
  20. nervousness
  21. noisy, rattling breathing
  23. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  24. pounding in the ears
  25. shortness of breath
  26. slow or fast heartbeat
  27. swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
  28. trembling
  29. troubled breathing at rest
  30. unusual bleeding or bruising
  31. unusual tiredness or weakness
  32. vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  33. weight gain

Less common

  1. Cough
  2. dilated neck veins
  3. extreme fatigue
  4. irregular breathing
  5. lower back or side pain
  6. painful or difficult urination
  7. pale skin
  8. swelling
  9. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth


  1. Decreased vision
  2. difficulty with swallowing
  3. eye pain or tenderness
  4. eye redness
  5. hives
  6. itching
  8. sensitivity of the eye to light
  9. skin rash
  10. sweating
  11. tearing of the eye
  12. tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

  1. Bone, joint, or muscle pain, severe and occasionally incapacitating
  2. faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


More common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. belching
  3. bladder pain
  4. bloody or cloudy urine
  5. body aches or pain
  6. bone pain
  7. constipation
  8. cracks in the skin at the corners of mouth
  9. diarrhea
  10. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  11. difficult or labored breathing
  12. difficulty moving
  13. ear congestion
  14. fear
  15. frequent urge to urinate
  16. heartburn
  17. indigestion
  18. joint pain
  19. lack or loss of strength
  20. lower back or side pain
  21. muscle aching, cramping, pains, or stiffness
  22. nasal congestion
  23. nervousness
  24. pain and swelling at the injection site
  25. sensitivity to heat
  26. shivering
  27. sneezing
  28. soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails
  29. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  30. sweating
  31. swollen joints
  32. trouble sleeping
  33. weight loss

Less common

  1. Ammonia-like breath odor
  2. feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
  3. feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
  4. feeling that others can hear your thoughts
  5. feeling unusually cold
  6. swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  7. unusual behavior

