Clodronate Side Effects

Clodronate is a prescription medication that is used during cancer treatment. It operates by managing high levels of calcium that exist within the blood, resulting from bodily changes that occur due to cancer. It also functions by treating the bones that are weakening due to the spreading of the disease from other areas of the body. As with any medicine, there are some possible negative side effects that are associated with clodronate.

Very Common Side Effects

• There are some very common side effects--including nausea, vomiting, increased bowel movements and diarrhea--that can occur as a result of taking clodronate. In general, these side effects are considered to be minor and do not require medical help, as they tend to subside on their own as the body adjusts to the medicine. However, should these side effects persist or get worse, medical attention might be necessary.

Other Common Side Effects

• There are some other side effects that are common, but not as common as the ones mentioned above. Irritation of the mouth and cloudy urine may occur, but they are usually not considered to be any cause for alarm (unless they do not go away or get worse with time).

Uncommon Side Effects

• There are also some rare side effects that require immediate emergency medical attention. These side effects are potentially dangerous, and include problems with breathing; seizures; shaking of the muscles; abnormal weakness or fatigue; bizarre heartbeats; swelling of the hands, ankles or face; sores within the throat; muscle cramps in the legs, feet, arms, hands or face; difficulty urinating; stomach pain or cramps; and mental or mood changes.

Overdose

• If the patient experiences any of the following side effects immediately after taking clodronate, he likely has overdosed: mental or mood changes, convulsions, urination problems, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, stomach cramps and muscle cramps. If a person suspects that he has overdosed on clodronate, he must seek immediate medical assistance.

Drug Interactions

• Drug interactions are always possible when more than one medication or dietary supplement is being taken at the same time. Drug interactions can result in unpleasant side effects, as well as the reduced or increased effectiveness of one or all of the medications involved. Some things that could possibly interact with clodronate are corticosteroids, calcium supplements, antacids, loop diuretics, iron supplements, phosphate, Mithramycin and calcitonin.