What You Need To Know About Clodronate Liposome Drug

By Teri Farley


A Clodronate enclosed in a synthetic lipid membrane is what is commonly referred to as clodronate liposome. It is because of this encapsulation that the drug can reach its target organ or body part. Most of these drugs are highly hydrophilic and thus would not be effective if they were to be admitted independently. Liposome is useful if the depletion of macrophages which is the focus of the treatment.

The principle behind this new method of drug administration is based on the use of synthetic lipid (Liposome) as a Trojan horse. Once ingested, the lipid is digested by the macrophages thus releasing Clodronate. This if followed by the release of the active components such as bisphosphonates which are good inhibitors of many autoimmune conditions.

Though still in the trial stages, the drug has shown a lot of success and will help in the treatment of cancer, osteoporosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Metastatic carcinoma of the breast and multiple myeloma are among other conditions that the drug will be able to handle. On the other hand, this drug has shown success with the suppression of macrophage activities in neurological disorders, gene therapy and transplantation.

As with every most bisphosphonates, there are no major side effects associated with Clodronate. In fact, it is expected to have similar effects that other drugs in this category have shown. For instance, those undergoing treatment against high calcium levels in the blood do complain of mild stomach pains, nausea and vomiting. Other mild side effects include diarrhea and loss of appetite.

While the above-mentioned adverse effects are considered mild and often disappear without further medication, other symptoms should not be taken lightly. There are however some rare cases where bisphosphonates have resulted in serious complications that warrant the attention of a doctor. Individuals should therefore be careful while taking the drug since it may also have serious side effects such as such wheezing or difficult breathing.

Other adverse drug reactions that might be associated with this drug include mouth pain, swelling and unexplainable tiredness or weakness. Moreover, patients who develop skin rashes and hives or severe muscle cramps after taking Clodronate should seek medical attention as a matter of urgency. Since these are just pre-release precautions, one should not be discouraged, as the final product may be a very stable product with lesser side effects.

There are conditions in which the use of bisphosphonates is prohibited. For instance, pregnant mothers and those allergic to Clodronate and other bisphosphonate products should not use the drug. Those on similar drug components are accordingly advised to avoid the drug too. On the other hand, patients with underlying conditions such as gastrointestinal swellings are equally prohibited from using the drug.

Clodronate liposome as mentioned before is a prescription drug and thus cannot be shared with a family member, even if they have the same conditions. On the other hand, one cannot use the drugs unless the doctor prescribes it. Once it is officially released, it is expected to bring the much-needed cure for cancer. However, success will depend on how strict the patients will follow the prescription of the doctor.




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