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Amidronate: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Amidronate - General Information

Pamidronic acid (INN) or pamidronate disodium (USAN), marketed as pamidronate disodium pentahydrate under the brand name Aredia, is a bisphosphonate. [Wikipedia]

 

Pharmacology of Amidronate

Amidronate is in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Amidronate reduces breakdown of the bones. Amidronate is used in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone; to reduce high levels of calcium in the blood associated with malignancy (cancer); and to reduce the breakdown of bone due to metastases of breast cancer or multiple myeloma.

 

Amidronate for patients

 

Amidronate Interactions

Concomitant administration of a loop diuretic had no effect on the calcium-lowering action of Aredia.

Caution is indicated when Aredia is used with other potentially nephrotoxic drugs.

Also see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

 

Amidronate Contraindications

Aredia is contraindicated in patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to Aredia or other bisphosphonates.

 

Additional information about Amidronate

Amidronate Indication: For the treatment of moderate or severe hypercalcemia associated with malignancy Mechanism Of Action: The mechanism of action of pamidronate is inhibition of bone resorption. Amidronate adsorbs to calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) crystals in bone and may directly block dissolution of this mineral component of bone. In vitro studies also suggest that inhibition of osteoclast activity contributes to inhibition of bone resorption. Amidronate also targets farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (such as pamidronate, alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate and zoledronate) appear to act as analogues of isoprenoid diphosphate lipids, thereby inhibiting FPP synthase, an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Inhibition of this enzyme in osteoclasts prevents the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids (FPP and GGPP) that are essential for the post-translational farnesylation and geranylgeranylation of small GTPase signalling proteins. This activity inhibits osteoclast activity and reduces bone resorption and turnover. In postmenopausal women, it reduces the elevated rate of bone turnover, leading to, on average, a net gain in bone mass. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Pamidronate Synonyms: Acide pamidronique [INN-French]; Acido pamidronico [INN-Spanish]; Acidum pamidronicum [INN-Latin]; APD; Pamidronate Disodium; Pamidronic acid Drug Category: Anti-inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Bisphosphonates Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved Other Brand Names containing Pamidronate: Amidronate; Aminomux; Aredia; Absorption: Not Available Toxicity (Overdose): Side effects include an allergic reaction, kidney problems, seizures, low levels of calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus in the blood Protein Binding: Approximately 54% (bound to human serum proteins) Biotransformation: Pamidronate is not metabolized and is exclusively eliminated by renal excretion Half Life: The mean ± SD elimination half-life is 28 ± 7 hours Dosage Forms of Amidronate: Solution Intravenous Powder, for solution Intravenous Chemical IUPAC Name: (3-amino-1-hydroxy-1-phosphonopropyl)phosphonic acid Chemical Formula: C3H11NO7P2 Pamidronate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamidronate Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals