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Zoledronic Acid

Zoledronic Acid


Generic Name: Zoledronic Acid (ZOE-leh-drah-nik)
Brand Name: Zometa

Zoledronic Acid is used for:

Treating high calcium levels due to cancer. It is also used with other medications to treat patients with multiple tumors and patients with bone cancer from solid tumors.

Zoledronic Acid is a bisphosphonate. It works by lowering blood calcium levels by decreasing bone activity and the amount of calcium released from bones into the blood

Do NOT use Zoledronic Acid if:

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Zoledronic Acid or to any other bisphosphonate (eg, alendronate)
  • you are taking another bisphosphonate
  • you have severe kidney problems with bone cancer

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zoledronic Acid :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zoledronic Acid . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
  • if you have kidney problems, dehydration, cancer, dental problems, bone infection, low blood volume, or aspirin-sensitive asthma

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zoledronic Acid . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

  • Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) and thalidomide because the risk of low blood calcium or kidney problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zoledronic Acid may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zoledronic Acid :

Use Zoledronic Acid as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • Zoledronic Acid is usually administered as an infusion at our doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you may have about Zoledronic Acid . If you are using Zoledronic Acid at home, a health care professional will provide detailed instructions for its appropriate use. Ask them any questions that you may have about your medicine or giving injections.
  • Do not use more than 4 milligrams (mg) of Zoledronic Acid in one dose. Each dose of Zoledronic Acid should be infused over at least 15 minutes.
  • If Zoledronic Acid contains particles or if the container is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
  • It takes at least a week for the full therapeutic response to Zoledronic Acid to occur. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, contact your doctor.
  • Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when full.
  • If you miss a dose of Zoledronic Acid , contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zoledronic Acid .

Important safety information:

  • Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Zoledronic Acid .
  • Zoledronic Acid may cause jaw bone problems in some patients, especially those who have cancer, are using certain medicines (eg, chemotherapy, corticosteroids), or have poor dental hygiene. These problems have been often associated with dental procedures. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate dental examination before you begin treatment with Zoledronic Acid . Certain dental procedures should be avoided if possible while you are using Zoledronic Acid . Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatments while you are using Zoledronic Acid .
  • LAB TESTS may be required to monitor therapy or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
  • Zoledronic Acid is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Zoledronic Acid may cause harm to the fetus. Do not use Zoledronic Acid if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. It is not known if Zoledronic Acid is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed after receiving Zoledronic Acid until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.

Possible side effects of Zoledronic Acid :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Agitation; anxiety; bone pain; confusion; constipation; coughing; dehydration; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; drowsiness; flu-like symptoms (fever; chills; bone pain; joint pain; muscle aches); headache; infection; inflammation of the mucous membranes; loss of appetite; mild swelling or redness at the injection site; muscle aches; nausea; oral infection; severe or prolonged bone, joint, or muscle pain; sleeplessness; stomach pain; swelling of the legs; urinary tract infection; vision changes; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); broken bones; change in the amount of urine produced or inability to urinate; chest pain; difficulty breathing; itching; jaw pain or swelling; persistent fever.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at .

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Zoledronic Acid :

Prior to diluting Zoledronic Acid for use, store Zoledronic Acid at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. After Zoledronic Acid is diluted for use, it should be used immediately. If not used immediately, store the medicine in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Zoledronic Acid must be used within 24 hours of being prepared. Keep Zoledronic Acid out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

  • If you have any questions about Zoledronic Acid , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Zoledronic Acid is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zoledronic Acid . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.