Didronel

Osteitis Deformans, Spinal Cord Injury, Heterotopic Ossification + 1 more

Treatment

7 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Didronel

What is Didronel

Etidronic acid

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Etidronic acid is a type of medication used to regulate calcium levels in the body. It was the first drug of its kind when it was approved by the FDA in 1977, but has since been replaced by newer drugs, known as nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates. Etidronic acid is still used, but not as widely as the newer drugs.

Didronel

is the brand name

Didronel Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Didronel

Etidronic acid

1977

9

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Etidronic acid, commonly known as Didronel, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses such as Paget's Disease of Bone and Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) .

Paget's Disease of Bone

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

Heterotopic Ossification (HO)

Total Hip Replacements

Heterotopic Ossification

Spinal Cord Injury

Osteitis Deformans

Effectiveness

How Didronel Affects Patients

Etidronic acid is a medication that stops bone from breaking down. It is considered to be very safe, even when taken in large doses, and its effects can last a long time. However, it can cause issues in the upper digestive tract, so patients should be aware of this before taking it.

How Didronel works in the body

Bisphosphonates are taken into the bones, where they bind to a mineral called hydroxyapatite. Bone resorption by osteoclasts creates an acidic environment that forces the bisphosphonates out of their binding site and into the osteoclast. Once in the osteoclast, the bisphosphonates interfere with the osteoclast's ability to break down the bones. This prevents the resorption of bones by the osteoclast. Early generation bisphosphonates mimic a molecule called pyrophosphate, which cannot be broken down, and thus stops all energy-dependent functions of

When to interrupt dosage

The advocated dosage of Didronel is contingent upon the identified condition, including Total Hip Replacements, Paget's Disease of Bone and Heterotopic Ossification. The magnitude of dosage varies, as per the delivery strategy outlined in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Spinal Cord Injury

200.0 mg, , 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Solution

Heterotopic Ossification

200.0 mg, , 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Solution

Total Hip Replacements

200.0 mg, , 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Solution

Osteitis Deformans

200.0 mg, , 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Solution

Warnings

Didronel Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Esophageal Achalasia

Do Not Combine

delayed esophageal emptying

Do Not Combine

Esophageal Strictures

Do Not Combine

Esophagus

Do Not Combine

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Etidronic Acid may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 5 known major drug interactions with Didronel.

Common Didronel Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Incadronic acid

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Etidronic acid is combined with Incadronic acid.

Tiludronic acid

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Etidronic acid is combined with Tiludronic acid.

Deferasirox

Moderate

The risk or severity of gastrointestinal bleeding and gastrointestinal ulceration can be increased when Etidronic acid is combined with Deferasirox.

Parathyroid hormone

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of Parathyroid hormone can be decreased when used in combination with Etidronic acid.

Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate

Moderate

The risk or severity of hypocalcemia can be increased when Etidronic acid is combined with Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate.

Didronel Toxicity & Overdose Risk

An overdose of calcium gluconate can cause symptoms such as low calcium levels, vomiting, tingling sensations, and diarrhea. Treatment may involve managing electrolyte levels and administering intravenous calcium gluconate.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Didronel Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Didronel?

48 active clinical trials are presently examining the potential of Didronel to alleviate Heterotopic Ossification, Paget's Disease of Bone and Spinal Cord Injury.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Osteitis Deformans

0 Actively Recruiting

Heterotopic Ossification

0 Actively Recruiting

Total Hip Replacements

0 Actively Recruiting

Spinal Cord Injury

68 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 1

Didronel Reviews: What are patients saying about Didronel?

3.7

Patient Review

12/24/2013

Didronel for Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Prevention

This treatment has been effective for me over the long term. It can be difficult to find, but it's worth seeking out.

3

Patient Review

9/13/2010

Didronel for Formation of Bone in Abnormal Place

Patient Q&A Section about didronel

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is etidronate a bisphosphonate?

"Etidronate falls into a category of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Its mode of action is to slow the deterioration of existing bone and the formation of new bone."

Answered by AI

Is Didronel a bisphosphonate?

"Didronel is a medicine that affects how bones are formed and broken down in the body. This can slow down the loss of bone mass, and may help to prevent fractures. Didronel is used to treat a condition called Paget's disease, which affects the bones."

Answered by AI

Is etidronate discontinued?

"This drug is not available in the U.S. The recommended dose was 7.5 mg/kg IV infusion once daily, administered for 3 consecutive days. Etidronate was designated an orphan drug by the FDA for this indication; however, etidronate therapy has been replaced with more potent bisphosphonates for this condition."

Answered by AI

What is Didronel used for?

"Etidronate isused topersona certain type of bone disease called Paget's disease. This disease weakens and deforms bones. Etidronatereduce works by slowing bone loss, helping to keep your bones strong and less likely to break. It also helps reduce bone pain from this disease."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Didronel

Image of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, United States.

Paired Associative Stimulation + Locomotor Training for Spinal Cord Injury

18 - 75
All Sexes
Chicago, IL

Locomotor recovery is one of the most important goals of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Ambulatory deficits severely impact daily functions resulting in lower quality of life for people living with paralysis due to SCI. Although studies have shown that locomotor training improves locomotor function in people with chronic SCI, the benefits remain limited. Our overall hypothesis is that we can engage additional descending motor pathways, such as the reticulospinal tract (RST), to improve locomotor function in humans with chronic incomplete SCI. In this study we propose to test the effects of a novel intervention that uses repeated paired loud auditory and electrical stimulation of muscle afferents combined with locomotor training on walking speed and voluntary muscle strength.

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Dalia De Santis, PhD

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Pain Management Tools for Spinal Cord Injury

18+
All Sexes
Kelowna, Canada

Brief Summary The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a neuroscience-informed, peer-led self-management program can promote behavior change and reduce pain interference in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) and chronic pain. The primary aim is to support participants in developing practical, sustainable strategies for managing chronic pain through education, reflection, and consistent application of self-management tools. The program is designed to shift participants from passive recipients of care to active agents in their own pain management process. Chronic pain is highly prevalent among individuals with SCI, and many report that traditional treatments - primarily pharmacological - provide limited relief and are accompanied by significant side effects. There is a growing need for accessible, non-clinical interventions that empower individuals to manage pain based on the latest neuroscience and behavior change principles. Solving SCI Pain intervention is a 7-week, multi-component program grounded in brain-based pain science, neuroplasticity, and behavior change models. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention lead to meaningful changes in behavior that support pain self-management? * Does it reduce pain interference in everyday life? Participants will: * Attend three 2-hour group education sessions focused on the neuroscience of pain, the role of fear-avoidance, pain-related beliefs, and body-based self-regulation tools (e.g., movement, Graston, percussion massage, and red light therapy). * Participate in four individual coaching sessions (up to 1 hour each) designed to help them reflect on their experiences, overcome barriers, and integrate the tools into daily life. * Follow individualized coaching recommendations and provided resources to support each participant's unique engagement with cognitive and body-based tools over the 7-week period, including light journaling, goal setting, and guided reflections. * Complete brief check-ins every four days to monitor progress, engagement, and self-reported outcomes. Group and coaching sessions will be recorded and transcribed to support qualitative analysis, allowing researchers to understand how the intervention is experienced and delivered. This will help refine the program for future implementation and scaling. The study prioritizes accessibility, relevance, and peer involvement to address the real-world needs of individuals living with SCI and chronic pain.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

University of British Columbia

Kathleen A Martin Ginis, PhD

Image of Cognixion HQ in Santa Barbara, United States.

Cognixion + Apple Vision Pro for ALS

18+
All Sexes
Santa Barbara, CA

The goal of this study is refine the usability of a BCI capable communication platform. The study will take place in the United States area and will enroll up to 10 participants with late stage ALS, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) that have assistive communication and computer control needs. Each subject will receive an integrated Cognixion + Apple Vision Pro device that includes an augmented reality brain computer interface and associated communication software. The study duration is 3-4 months for each participant. The key questions that will be addressed in this study are: 1. Identify the ability of individuals with target indications to use the integrated Cognixion-Apple Vision Pro system to communicate effectively. 2. Identify the ability of such individuals to learn to use BCI, ET-BCI and other modalities, and to measure their progress over time. 3. Identify the effectiveness of the different forms of input supported by the combined Cognixion-Apple Vision Pro system (BCI, eye-tracking) in allowing such individuals to communicate and have agency. 4. Identify how input such as BCI can be optimized to suit the needs of individuals (e.g., specific frequencies that work best for an individual, SNR with different frequencies, number of targets, length of recording for each frequency) and improve overall usability. 5. Identify the extent to which personalization through a large language model (LLM) affects communication. 6. Identify the appropriate capabilities to enable through an agentic communication interface. Key measures include: ITR - information transfer rate SUS - system usability scale

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

Cognixion HQ

Christopher J Ullrich

Cognixion

Image of Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, United States.

Motor Evoked Potential Conditioning for Spinal Cord Injury

18+
All Sexes
Charleston, SC

The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of a brain stimulation training to improve the function of brain-spinal cord- muscle connections. Because brain-to-muscle pathways are very important in our movement control, restoring function of these pathways may improve movement problems after injuries. Spinal cord injury causes damage to the brain-to-muscle connection. However, when the injury is "incomplete", there is a possibility that some of the brain-to-muscle pathways are still connected and may be trained to improve movement function. For examining brain-to-muscle pathways, investigators use a transcranial magnetic stimulator. Investigators hope that the results of this research study will help us develop new treatments for people who have movement disabilities. This study will require about 42 visits over the first 14 weeks, and another 6 visits over an additional 3 months. Each visit will take about 1 ½ hours.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Medical University of South Carolina

Aiko Thompson, PhD

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Surgical Treatment for Ankle Equinus

4 - 17
All Sexes
Edmonton, Canada

Tight ankle muscles can produce ankle equinus (limited ability to pull the foot upward) and occur often in children, significantly impacting their ability to walk. If not treated, children with ankle equinus frequently experience reduced function and long-term foot problems, such as pain. Currently, treatment options include surgery or Botulinum toxin (BoNTA) injection into the large calf muscles that point the foot downwards, aiming to reduce their tightness. However, these treatments can be less effective over time, can create prolonged calf weakness, and may require long-term bracing. Another small muscle in the leg, the plantaris, is believed to have some contribution to equinus in many children. It is sometimes included in treatment plans for equinus but its contribution is poorly understood. It is unclear whether targeting the plantaris alone could lead to better treatment of ankle equinus. Understanding the effect of treatments targeting the plantaris could help clinicians improve the management of ankle equinus. In this study, the investigators will look at the impact of surgical treatment to the plantaris in ankle equinus. The investigators hypothesize that the plantaris is a significant contributor to equinus. In this study, data will be collected from children undergoing surgical correction of ankle equinus, including lengthening of the plantaris and lengthening of the larger muscles producing equinus (the gastrocsoleus mechanism). Children will be randomly assigned to have either their plantaris or the gastrocsoleus lengthening be done first during surgery. All children will have both structures lengthened during surgery, only the order will be varied and all surgical procedures for each patient will be completed in a single setting. In both groups, maximum passive ankle dorsiflexion (upwards bend of the ankle with the knee straight) will be measured before and after each structure is lengthened. The outcome is maximum passive ankle dorsiflexion (upwards bend of the ankle) with the knee straight. The investigators expect that maximum passive ankle dorsiflexion will increase after lengthening of the plantaris. Understanding the contribution of the plantaris muscle in ankle equinus could lead to significant improvements in the treatment of children with tight ankles.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Stollery Children's Hospital

Sukhdeep Dulai, MD, MHSc, FRCSC

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Epidural Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury

18+
All Sexes
West Orange, NJ

The goal of this study is to understand long-term effects of spinal cord stimulation in individuals who have a spinal cord injury. The main aims are to: 1. provide support for those with epidural stimulators who choose to continue stimulating because they deemed them to improve their quality of life 2. provide additional sites for follow-up so that the financial burden can be minimized for the research participants to travel 3. collect long-term safety data; and 4. when feasible collect data to understand the sustainability of outcomes. Participants will: * receive stimulation programs and software for the activities and/or functions completed in the previous study and demonstrate to the research staff that I can conduct them without their help to use at home * continue using the stimulation programs at home as directed by the research staff * return to Kessler Foundation for a follow-up visit (approx. 2 hours) with assessments at 6 months, 1 year, and once a year after enrolled in the follow-up study last until either the device is turned off, removed or the device is commercially approved.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

Kessler Foundation

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