Etidronate (Didrocal)
Didrocal or Didronel (Etidronate) is a bisphosphonate medicine used to prevent and treat thinning of the bones (called osteoporosis), a condition called Paget’s disesase, and other diseases where loss of bone mass is a concern.
Bisphosphonates are a class of medicines that all work in a similar way to help the bones.
Taking Didrocal
Didrocal is available as an oral tablet that is taken in 90-day cycles. For the first 14 days, 400 mg of Didrocal is taken each day. For the remaining 76 days, a 500 mg calcium tablet is taken.
To minimize side-effects and ensure the best response, we recommend that patients take Actonel as follows:
To help build the bones, patients should take calcium and vitamin D supplements while taking Actonel. A doctor can tell you the right amount of calcium and vitamin D to take.
Important Tests and Risks
Science
Safety
Video
Watch Dr. Andy Thompson, a Canadian rheumatologist, introduce Didrocal in this short video: