Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

Your doctor may also give you vitamins containing Vitamin D and calcium. Tell your doctor if you are unable to take these supplements.

Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems. However, it is also important to not drink too much liquid. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of liquids for you.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For treating hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood):
      • Adults—60 to 90 milligrams (mg) in a solution to be injected over 2 to 24 hours into a vein. If your doctor decides that you need additional doses, you will receive the medicine again after at least 7 days have passed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For treating Paget's disease of bone:
      • Adults—30 mg in a solution to be injected over 4 hours into a vein, for 3 consecutive days. Your doctor will decide if you need more than 3 doses.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For treating multiple myeloma:
      • Adults—90 mg in a solution to be injected over 4 hours into a vein once per month. Your doctor will decide how long this treatment should continue.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For treating bone metastases:
      • Adults—90 mg in a solution to be injected over 2 hours into a vein once every 3 to 4 weeks. Your doctor will decide how long this treatment should continue.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .