Zoledronic acid Intravenous Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Zoledronic acid (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 2, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Reclast
- Zometa

Available Dosage Forms:

- Powder for Solution
- Solution

Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator

Chemical Class: Bisphosphonate

## Uses for zoledronic acid

Zoledronic acid injection is used to treat hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood) that may occur in patients with some types of cancer. It is also used to treat a cancer called multiple myeloma (tumors formed by the cells of the bone marrow) or certain types of bone metastases (the spread of cancer to the bone).

Zoledronic acid injection is also used to treat Paget's disease of the bone in men and women. It is also used in men with osteoporosis and in women with osteoporosis who have gone through menopause. Zoledronic acid is used to reduce the risk of having more fractures in patients who have had a recent hip fracture.

Zoledronic acid is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

## Before using zoledronic acid

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zoledronic acid, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zoledronic acid or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Zoledronic acid injection is not indicated for use in children.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zoledronic acid injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving zoledronic acid injection.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zoledronic acid. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Anemia or
- Bleeding problems or
- Cancer, history of or
- Dental or tooth problems or
- Dental procedures or
- Poor oral hygiene, or
- Surgery (eg, dental surgery)—May increase risk for severe jaw problems.

- Asthma, aspirin-sensitive or
- Heart disease or
- Kidney disease or
- Mineral imbalance (eg, high or low calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, or potassium in the blood)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Bowel resection or
- Parathyroid disease (eg, hypoparathyroidism) or
- Parathyroid surgery or
- Stomach absorption problems or
- Thyroid surgery—These conditions may increase your risk of having hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood).

- Dehydration (not enough water or fluid in your body)—May increase risk of severe kidney problems.

- Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or
- Kidney disease, severe (eg, kidney failure)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

## Proper use of zoledronic acid

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you zoledronic acid. Zoledronic acid is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for at least 15 minutes.

For hypercalcemia, zoledronic acid is usually given only once. If your doctor decides that you need additional doses, you will receive the medicine again after at least 7 days have passed. This treatment will continue until your body responds to the medicine.

For bone cancer and multiple myeloma, zoledronic acid is usually given every 3 to 4 weeks. This treatment will continue until your body responds to the medicine.

For osteoporosis, zoledronic acid is usually given once a year and will continue until your body responds to the medicine.

You may also receive other medicines to help keep your body from losing too much fluid.

Your doctor may also give you vitamins containing Vitamin D and calcium. Tell your doctor if you are unable to take these supplements.

Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using zoledronic acid. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems. However, it is very important to not drink too much liquid. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of liquids for you.

Zoledronic acid comes with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.

Detailed Zoledronic acid dosage information

## Precautions while using zoledronic acid

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits after you have received zoledronic acid injection. If your condition has improved, your progress must still be checked. The results of laboratory tests or the occurrence of certain symptoms will tell your doctor if your condition is coming back and if a second treatment is needed. You will need a yearly dose of zoledronic acid if you are being treated for postmenopausal osteoporosis, so check with your doctor regularly.

Using zoledronic acid while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

You should not use other medicines that also contain zoledronic acid, such as Reclast® or Zometa®. Using these medicines together may increase your chance for more serious side effects.

Zoledronic acid may rarely cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving the medicine.

Zoledronic acid may cause hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood). Low blood calcium must be corrected before you receive zoledronic acid. Check with your doctor immediately if you have muscle spasms or twitching, or numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth.

Tell your doctor right away if you have agitation, blood in the urine, confusion, decreased urine output, depression, dizziness, headache, irritability, lethargy, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of serious kidney problems.

Your doctor will need to know if you have a history of problems with your mouth or teeth (eg, gum disease). Make sure your doctor knows if you have been treated with a bisphosphonate medicine, such as alendronate (Fosamax®), etidronate (Didronel®), pamidronate (Aredia®), risedronate (Actonel®), or tiludronate (Skelid®) in the past.

It is important that you tell all of your doctors that you are receiving zoledronic acid injection, including your dentist. If you are having dental procedures while receiving zoledronic acid, you may have an increased chance of having a severe problem with your jaw. Make sure you tell your doctor or dentist about any new problems, such as pain or swelling, with your teeth or jaw.

Make sure you tell your doctor about any new medical problems, especially with your teeth or jaws. Tell your doctor if you have severe muscle, bone, or joint pain after receiving zoledronic acid.

Zoledronic acid may increase your risk of developing fractures of the thigh bone. This may be more common if you use it for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you have a dull or aching pain in the thighs, groin, or hips.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription (eg, other medicines that also contain zoledronic acid) or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Zoledronic acid side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Agitation
- black, tarry stools
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- chills
- coma
- confusion
- convulsions
- cough
- depression
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fever
- irregular heartbeat
- irritability
- lack or loss of strength
- lethargy
- lower back or side pain
- muscle pain or cramps
- muscle trembling or twitching
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- rapid weight gain
- seizures
- shaking of the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- skin rash, cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth, or soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or mouth
- stupor
- sudden sweating
- swollen glands
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing with exercise
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

- Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- muscle spasms
- neck pain
- pounding in the ears
- rapid breathing
- sensation of spinning
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sunken eyes
- tingling of the hands or feet
- tremor

Incidence not known

- Blurred vision or other change in vision
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- decreased vision
- eye pain
- eye tenderness
- heavy jaw feeling
- increased blood pressure
- increased tearing
- increased thirst
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- loosening of a tooth
- pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
- redness of the eye
- sensitivity of the eye to light
- severe eye pain
- swelling of the face, hands, fingers, lower legs, or ankles
- weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- Abdominal or stomach pain
- back pain
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- bladder pain
- blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bone pain
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
- change in taste
- constipation
- cracked lips
- cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- discouragement
- dry mouth
- ear congestion
- feeling sad or empty
- frequent urge to urinate
- hair loss or thinning hair
- headache
- hyperventilation
- joint pain or swollen joints
- loss of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- loss of voice
- muscle stiffness or difficulty with moving
- nasal congestion or runny nose
- pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
- partial loss of feeling
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- thirst
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unusually cold, shivering
- vomiting
- weight loss

Less common

- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- red streaks on the skin
- stomach discomfort or upset
- swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
- wrinkled skin

Rare

- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- discharge or excessive tearing
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- throbbing pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Zoledronic acid side effects (more detail)

## More about zoledronic acid

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (337)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: bisphosphonates
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Zoledronic Acid (Bone Health)
- Zoledronic Acid (Zometa)

#### Other brands

Reclast, Zometa, Aclasta

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Osteoporosis
- Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors
- Paget's Disease
- Prevention of Osteoporosis
- Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
- Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer