The role of mithramycin in the management of Paget's disease.

18 patients with Paget's disease have received 27 courses of mithramycin therapy. This treatment has proved to be very effective in rapidly relieving bone pain due to Paget's disease--relief being apparent in 4 to 5 days. A dose of 10 micrograms/kg/day for 10 days is effective, well tolerated and to date free of serious side effects. Such treatment is particularly indicated in complicated cases with other possible explanations for the pain. Long term relief is unusual unless calcitonin or sodium etidronate is added.