Pamidronic acid

A bisphosphonate medication used to treat high blood calcium levels and bone disorders

Pamidronic acid

Pamidronic acid is a bisphosphonate medication primarily used to treat hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) and to manage bone disorders such as Paget's disease and osteolytic bone lesions associated with multiple myeloma and breast cancer.

Mechanism of Action

Pamidronic acid works by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone tissue, releasing calcium into the bloodstream. By inhibiting these cells, pamidronic acid helps to maintain bone density and reduce calcium levels in the blood.

Medical Uses

Pamidronic acid is used in the following conditions:

• Hypercalcemia of malignancy: It is effective in reducing elevated calcium levels in patients with cancer.
• Paget's disease of bone: It helps in normalizing bone turnover and reducing bone pain.
• Osteolytic bone lesions: Used in patients with multiple myeloma and breast cancer to prevent skeletal-related events.

Administration

Pamidronic acid is administered intravenously. The dosage and frequency depend on the condition being treated and the patient's response to therapy.

Side Effects

Common side effects of pamidronic acid include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Bone pain

Less common but serious side effects can include osteonecrosis of the jaw and renal impairment.

Pharmacokinetics

Pamidronic acid is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which is why it is administered intravenously. It is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

History

Pamidronic acid was developed in the 1980s and has been widely used since then for the treatment of bone-related conditions associated with cancer and other diseases.

Related pages

• Bisphosphonate
• Hypercalcemia
• Paget's disease of bone
• Multiple myeloma