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Single high‐dose (45 mg) infusions of aminohydroxypropylidene diphosphonate for severe malignant hypercalcemia
Author(s) -
Mannix Kathryn A.,
Carmichael James,
Harris Adrian L.,
Cantwell Brian M. J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19890915)64:6<1358::aid-cncr2820640630>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - medicine , calcium , cancer , chemotherapy , gastroenterology , surgery
A 3‐hour single intravenous infusion of aminohydroxypropylidene diphosphonate (APD) 45 mg was given to 25 patients with malignant hypercalcemia. There were seven patients with breast cancer, eight with lung cancer, and ten with a variety of other cancers. Twenty‐four patients responded to a single APD 45 mg infusion, 18 of whom (75%) had falls in plasma calcium to below the upper limit of normal (≫2.75 mmol/l). Of 15 patients who had severe hypercalcemia, i.e. , plasma calcium levels greater than 3.5 mmol/1, 14 responded and 9 (60%) achieved normocalcemia. Five patients developed hypocalcemia. One patient with lung cancer developed spontaneously reversible acute dyspnea after APD which was considered to be an idiosyncratic drug reaction. Single short‐duration infusions of APD 45 mg are very effective in correcting malignant hypercalcemia in the majority of patients and are particularly suitable for patients with pre‐APD plasma calcium levels greater than 3.5 mmol/l, who are less likely to develop hypocalcemia.