How it Works

Aredia is a bone-strengthening bisphosphonate medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures. It is also used to treat bone damage caused by certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer or bone marrow cancer. Pamidronate does not treat cancer itself.

How it’s Administered

Aredia is injected into a vein through an IV. This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 2 or more hours to complete.

It is sometimes given as a single dose only one time. It may be given monthly while myeloma patients have existing bone damage. Following initial myeloma therapy, the dose can be given quarterly or every 6 months based on your doctor’s suggestions. 

Who Should Take Aredia

Aredia is currently approved for:

• Hypercalcemia of Malignancy 
• Paget's Disease 
• Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma
• Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Breast Cancer

Who Shouldn’t Take Aredia

• Patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to Aredia or other bisphosphonates
• May cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women

The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Aredia Include: 

• Fever
• Headache
• Bone pain
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low calcium or phosphate levels
• Pain 
• Redness
• Swelling or a hard lump under the skin around the IV needle.

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