Disodium clodronate in the treatment of pain due to bone metastases.

ABSTRACT

Disodium clodronate (dichloromethylene bisphosphonate) a drug belonging to the class of bisphosphonates, inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption and therefore it may be used in the palliative treatment of patients affected by osteolytic bone metastases. The authors have evaluated the activity and tolerability of disodium clodronate in providing pain relief and improving the quality of life in patients with bone metastases, who were not improved by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Out of 37 patients, 32 could be evaluated for pain relief. Of these, 62.5% had their pains improved by disodium clodronate administration without regard to the type of ongoing analgesic therapy, which had no implications on the outcome of the treatment.