[Therapy of Paget's disease with bisphosphonate pamidronate (AHPrBP, formerly APD)]

We studied the effect of the intravenous administration of the bisphosphonate pamidronate (AHPrBP) in 7 patients with Paget's bone disease. The medication was given in a daily dose of 20 mg for 9 days in 0.9% saline infusion over 4 hours (total dose 180 mg). Thereafter the patients received no therapy. At the end of treatment a slight but significant fall of plasma calcium (p less than or equal to 0.01) was observed, but no patient displayed hypocalcemia. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline fell below 45% of initial within 6 days of treatment. Only 3 out of 7 patients showed a decline in alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) already at the end of treatment, but after 3 to 6 months AP was below 30% of the initial value in all observed patients. After 9 months no relapse of AP was observed. Roentgenograms demonstrated dramatic improvement of bone lesions in one case. Hyperthermia occurred in 2 patients as side effect; one patient developed headache. However, treatment could be continued in all cases. The short-term intravenous administration of pamidronate is a useful means to suppress the activity of Paget's disease and no further treatment is necessary at least for several months.