Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
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drug-infosheet
clodronate
Other Names
Bonefos®, Ostac®, Clasteon®
Appearance
Oral use- capsule;
Injection- Clear, colorless solution mixed into larger bags of fluids
Medication Information Sheet
clodronate (CLOE-dron-ate)
This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.
Other Name: Bonefos®, Ostac®, Clasteon®
Appearance:
Oral use- capsule; Injection- Clear, colorless solution mixed into larger bags of fluids
What is this medication for?
Clodronate may:
- Help relieve bone pain and prevent broken bones in cancer that has spread to the bones
- Be used to remove excess calcium from the blood that is a problem with some types of cancer
What should I do before I have this medication?
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have/had significant medical condition(s) such as:
- kidney or stomach problems,
- have asthma plus an allergy to aspirin (ASA),
- take other medications for bone problems,
- have sores in your mouth, or any dental problems, including use of dentures
- have any allergies,
- or any planned dental work.
How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding.
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug: Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose. Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
- This medication may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant).
How is this medication given?
- Clodronate injection is given by slow injection into a vein.
- If you are taking the oral capsule, swallow whole with a glass of plain water only (not milk) on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, other medications, herbals or supplements, to ensure your body absorbs clodronate properly.
- Do not crush or open the capsules, since the drug may irritate the mouth and the throat.
- Remain upright (do not lie down) for at least half an hour after you have taken your clodronate capsules.
What else do I need to know while on this medication?
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
- To prevent lowering of your calcium level while using clodronate, your doctor may tell you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Do not take calcium or vitamin D if you have/had high calcium levels in the blood. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements.
How should I safely store this medication?
Oral capsules:
- Store in the original packaging at room temperature, away from heat, light or moisture. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not throw out any unused drugs at home. Bring them to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
What are the side effects of this medication?
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- pain, swelling, numbness or heaviness in your mouth or jaw; poor healing of mouth sores, loosening of teeth
- muscle twitching or numbness or tingling of your hands, feet or mouth
- chest pain or difficulty breathing
- blurred vision or other changes to your vision
- lower back pain, body swelling, peeing less than usual and having unusual weight gain
- severe or unusual bone pain, especially in your back, hips or wrist
- signs of an allergy such as fever, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
Last Updated: July 21, 2026
