Definition of etidronate
: a white sodium salt C2H6Na2O7P2 that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is administered orally in the treatment of some bone diseases (such as Paget's disease of bone) —called also etidronate disodium
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Origin and Etymology of etidronate
etidronic acid (of which etidronate is a salt), perhaps from ethylidene (the radical CH3CH) + hydr- + phosphonic acid (an acid obtained from phosphine)
First Known Use: 1971
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of etidronate
: a white disodium bisphosphonate salt C2H6Na2O7P2 that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is used especially to treat Paget's disease of bone and to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification (as that associated with hip-replacement surgery)—called also etidronate disodium
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