Aredia Side Effects
Although some people tolerate it fairly well, Aredia side effects can include severe
allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue, face,
or throat; and the development of hives. Other people experience kidney problems,
seizures, and diminished levels of calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus. Other Aredia
side effects include low fever, headache, fatigue, bone pain, weakness, upset stomach,
vomiting, and constipation. Osteonecrosis of the jaw
(ONJ) is also a serious side effect of Aredia use, causing the breakdown or complete
loss of the jawbone in some cases.
Aredia (pamidronate disodium) was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration
in 1991 and is used to treat hypercalcemia, Paget's disease, and some forms of cancer
such as multiple myeloma. It works by preventing bone resorption, or the process
by which certain cells break down bone to release minerals, that some cancers can
cause. For almost 15 years it was a popular treatment for a number of conditions,
but by 2005, popular and medical opinion of the entire class of bisphosphonate drugs
began to change.
Due to mounting evidence of serious bone-related complications first relayed in
2004, Novartis and the FDA advised dental healthcare professionals on May 18, 2005
about the potential link between Aredia and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The
alert informed dentists that patients undergoing Aredia treatment should avoid invasive
dental procedures and that they should be aware of the primary symptoms of ONJ.
According to reports gathered by officials at Novartis, 875 developed Osteonecrosis
of the Jaw (ONJ) between December 2002 and 2005. Most of these patients were receiving
chemotherapy and steroid treatments, two conditions that can predispose the development
of ONJ. Unfortunately, Aredia can increase the number of complications that can
arise from even simple procedures, including loose teeth, swollen gums, or oral
tissue that will simply not heal.
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