Jun 13, 2013

Some Facts About Clodronate Liposome Medicine

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 idea behind this drug is mainly to use it as the carrier or Trojan horse to help administer drugs that would not easily reach the target organ in normal cases. Provided the liposome has been ingested and digested by the macrophages (in the spleen for instance), the Clodronate is released into the organ though intracellular activities. The resultant product is the effective bisphosphonates that can then stop the macrophage functions.

Liposome Clodronate is therefore one of those drugs under test for treatment of various terminal illnesses. Diseases such as osteoporosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and cancer are just a few examples. This drug can also handle metastatic carcinoma of the breast and other hard to handle conditions such as the multiple myeloma. The wide use is particularly related to its ability to inhibit the activities of macrophages even in gene therapy, neurological disorders or even transplantation therapy.

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.

Apart from loss of appetite, the other complications include heavy breathing, hives and skin rashes. Though some of these may not need one to see a doctor, the cases of difficulty in breathing certainly does require the attention of one. You should therefore not hesitate to report to your physician for help if the side effects take longer than normal.

Additional complications such as unknown malaise, swelling of body parts and mouth pain should also be treated with caution. Physicians in such cases may recommend treatment or drug discontinuation. It is important to note that these are not recorded drug reactions from the drug since it has not been fully put into human use. You should therefore not be discouraged in anyway.

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.

There are basic rules that apply to prescription medicine, which also apply to clodronate liposome. For instance, you cannot share it with any one whether they are as sick as you are. In addition, you do not use it without express instructions from a qualified physician.




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