Etidronic acid ( INN ) or etidronate disodium (trade name Didronel ) is a bisphosphonate used to strengthen bone , treat osteoporosis , and treat Paget's disease of bone .

Bisphosphonates primarily reduce osteclastic activity, which prevents bone resorption , and thus moves the bone resorption/formation equilibrium toward the formation side and hence makes bone stonger on the long run. more

Etidronic acid ( INN ) or etidronate disodium (trade name Didronel ) is a bisphosphonate used to strengthen bone , treat osteoporosis , and treat Paget's disease of bone .

Bisphosphonates primarily reduce osteclastic activity, which prevents bone resorption , and thus moves the bone resorption/formation equilibrium toward the formation side and hence makes bone stonger on the long run. Etidronate, unlike other bisphosphonates, also prevents bone calcification . For this reason, other bisphosphonates, like alendronate , are preferred when fighting osteoporosis. To prevent bone resorption without affecting too much bone calcification, etidronate must be administered only for a short time once in a while, for example for two weeks every 3 months. When given on a continuous basis, say every day, etidronate will altogether prevent bone calcification. This effect may be useful and etidronate is in fact used this way to fight heterotopic ossification . But in the long run, if used on a continuous basis, it will cause osteomalacia . less