etidronate

noun

et·​i·​dro·​nate ˌē-tə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt  ˌe- 

: 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

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

etidronate

noun

et·​i·​dro·​nate ˌēt-ə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt  ˌet- 

: 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