Etidronate and Paget's Disease
Normally, bone is continuously being broken down and rebuilt. Paget's disease of the bone is a condition involving rapid breakdown of bone combined with abnormal reformation of bone. The abnormally reformed bone is weaker than normal. Symptoms of Paget's disease can include pain and bent or broken bones. Bisphosphonates, such as
etidronate, can help slow the breakdown of bone and can help the body build bone more normally.
Not all people with Paget's need to be treated with a bisphosphonate. Etidronate is recommended for people who experience Paget's disease symptoms (not everyone with Paget's disease has symptoms).
How Does Etidronate Work?
Etidronate belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. Etidronate slows the breakdown of bone, and it also slows the buildup of new bone. These characteristics can be useful for treating Paget's disease (in which bone is broken down too quickly and improperly reformed). With heterotopic ossification (the abnormal formation of bone in non-skeletal parts of the body), etidronate can prevent or stop the formation of abnormal bone.
Etidronate Uses in Children
Etidronate has not been adequately studied in children and is, therefore, not approved for use in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
Off-Label Etidronate Uses
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend etidronate for something other than the uses discussed in this article. Using etidronate to treat
osteoporosis is considered an
off-label use.
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