Drug Interactions With Etidronate

Medications that may cause drug interactions with etidronate include teriparatide, magnesium products, iron supplements, and calcium products. When these drugs interact with etidronate, it decreases the effectiveness of the medicine. Foods and beverages can also cause etidronate interactions, so be sure to take your dose on an empty stomach.

 

Etidronate Drug Interactions: An Overview

Etidronate disodium (Didronel®) can potentially interact with a number of other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to etidronate interactions include:
 
  • Calcium products
  • Iron supplements
  • Magnesium products
  • Teriparatide (Forteo™)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
     
Food and beverages (other than water) can also interact with etidronate, preventing it from being absorbed into the body and making it less effective. Etidronate should be taken with water in the morning on an empty stomach. Do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for two hours before or after taking your etidronate dosage.
 

Etidronate Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when etidronate is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Calcium Products
Calcium binds to etidronate in the stomach, preventing it from being absorbed in the body and making it less effective. While it is usually important for people with osteoporosis to take calcium, it should not be taken within two hours of taking etidronate.
 
Iron Supplements
Iron binds to etidronate in the stomach, preventing it from being absorbed in the body and making it less effective. Do not take iron supplements within two hours of taking etidronate.
(Drug Interactions With Etidronate Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;