disodium clodronate at a glance
Medicine class
Non-amino bisphosphonate
Licensed role
Manages cancer-related bone damage, bone pain and high blood calcium
Taking the tablets
Take on an empty stomach with plain water and remain upright afterwards
Important separation
Milk, food, calcium, mineral supplements and antacids reduce absorption
What is disodium clodronate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Bone lesions, high blood calcium and bone pain associated with skeletal metastases from breast cancer.
Bone lesions, high blood calcium and bone pain associated with multiple myeloma.
Maintaining an acceptable blood calcium level after initial intravenous disodium clodronate treatment for cancer-related hypercalcaemia.
How does disodium clodronate work?
It binds to mineralised bone and is taken up by osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone. It reduces their activity and survival, suppressing bone resorption and calcium release from bone.
disodium clodronate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 520 mg
How to take disodium clodronate
Follow the product instructions carefully because oral absorption is low and easily reduced by food and minerals.
Take the tablet on an empty stomach with a glass of plain water.
Keep it separate from milk, food, calcium-containing products, mineral supplements, antacids and other oral medicines.
Remain upright after taking it rather than lying down.
Maintain adequate fluid intake unless your clinical team advises otherwise.
disodium clodronate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, usually mild
- Nausea or vomiting
- Low blood calcium without symptoms
- Small increases in liver transaminases
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, bronchospasm or other allergic-reaction symptoms require urgent help.
- Tingling, muscle cramps or spasms, or marked weakness may indicate low calcium and need prompt assessment.
- New thigh, hip or groin pain may precede an unusual thigh-bone fracture.
- Jaw pain, swelling, loose teeth or poor healing after dental work may indicate osteonecrosis of the jaw.
- Persistent ear pain, discharge or recurrent infection may rarely indicate damage to bone in the ear canal.
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or new or worsening heartburn needs prompt medical advice.
- Kidney function can worsen, particularly with risk factors or interacting medicines.
disodium clodronate in pregnancy
The selected product is contraindicated during pregnancy and is not recommended for people who could become pregnant without effective contraception. Discuss pregnancy planning or exposure with the specialist team rather than stopping prescribed treatment without advice.
disodium clodronate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether disodium clodronate enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The selected product is contraindicated during breastfeeding; discuss alternatives and feeding plans with the specialist team.
disodium clodronate interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and mineral products before treatment. Important interactions include:
Other bisphosphonates
Concomitant use is contraindicated.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin
Calcium lowering can be enhanced, sometimes causing severe low calcium and magnesium.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially diclofenac
Concurrent use has been associated with impaired kidney function.
Common questions about disodium clodronate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does disodium clodronate treat the cancer itself?
No. It is used alongside cancer care to manage bone breakdown, bone pain and high blood calcium.
Why must it be taken on an empty stomach?
Very little is absorbed orally, and food or minerals can reduce absorption further.
Can it be taken with milk?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.