Older Treatments

Gallium nitrate

Use is now limited as administration is laborious and less effective than previously thought.

Mithramycin

This was the mainstay of therapy for hypercalcaemia associated with cancer before the bisphosphonates became available. It remains effective, but its use is limited by potential adverse effects. [6]

Calcitonin

Calcitonin is not widely available, and its effects are transient, thus limiting its utility. [6] It may be used as an adjunct to other treatments.

Furosemide

Furosemide may be used in fluid overloaded patients, but caution is required as depletion of intravascular sodium and water will result in worsening hypercalcaemia. [2]