Zometa
Generic Name: zoledronic acid (zole DRO nik AS sid)
Brand Names: Zometa
What is Zometa?
Zoledronic acid (sometimes called zoledronate) is in a group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). Zometa inhibits the release of calcium from bones.
Zometa is used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood associated with malignancy (cancer). Zometa also treats Paget's disease and multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer). It is also used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Zometa may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Zometa
Do not receive Zometa without telling your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to zoledronic acid or similar medicine such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate (Aredia), risedronate (Actonel), or tiludronate (Skelid). Do not use Zometa without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.Your doctor may recommend you have a dental exam for preventive tooth and gum care before you start your treatment with Zometa. This is especially important if you have cancer, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or using steroids, or if you have poor dental health.
Some people using medicines similar to Zometa have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums. You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and pre-existing dental problems.
Avoid having any type of dental surgery while you are being treated with Zometa. It may take longer than normal for you to recover.Before receiving Zometa
You should not receive Zometa if you are allergic to zoledronic acid or similar medicine such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate (Aredia), risedronate (Actonel), or tiludronate (Skelid).You should also not receive Zometa if you have:
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low levels of calcium in your blood; or
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if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Zometa and Reclast are two different brands of zoledronic acid. You should not be treated with Reclast if you are already receiving Zometa. Before receiving a Reclast injection, tell your doctor if you are already being treated with Zometa.
Before receiving Zometa, tell your doctor if you have:
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aspirin-sensitive asthma;
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a thyroid or parathyroid disorder;
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malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly);
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a history of surgical removal of part of your intestine;
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bone cancer; or
- kidney disease.
Your doctor may recommend you have a dental exam for preventive tooth and gum care before you start your treatment with Zometa. This is especially important if you have cancer, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or using steroids, or if you have poor dental health.
Some people using medicines similar to Zometa have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums.
You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery or pre-existing dental problems.
FDA pregnancy category D. Zometa can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive Zometa without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Zometa can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not receive Zometa without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How is Zometa given?
Zometa is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take at least 15 minutes to complete.
Zometa is sometimes given only once per year. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Drink at least 2 glasses of water within a few hours before your injection to keep from getting dehydrated.Your doctor may want you to take a calcium and/or vitamin D supplement while you are being treated with Zometa. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about the type and strength of calcium to take.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Zometa.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, muscle stiffness, spasms in the muscles of your face, uneven heartbeats, and wheezing or trouble breathing.What should I avoid while receiving Zometa?
Avoid having any type of dental surgery while you are being treated with Zometa. It may take longer than normal for you to recover.Zometa side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
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muscle spasms, numb or tingly feeling (especially around your mouth);
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
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pale skin, easy bruising, unusual weakness; or
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severe joint, bone, or muscle pain.
Less serious side effects may include:
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cough;
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loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
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diarrhea, constipation;
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headache, tired feeling;
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mild joint or muscle pain; or
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redness or swelling where the needle was placed.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Zometa?
Before receiving Zometa, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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a diuretic (water pill);
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an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);
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other medicines that can harm your kidneys, such as pentamidine (Nebupent), tacrolimus (Prograf), amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled), acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or
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cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), thalidomide (Thalomid), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zometa. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Zometa.
What does my medication look like?
Zoledronic acid is available with a prescription under the brand name Zometa. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Click here for more information on Zometa from the manufacturer.
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More Zometa resources:
Zometa - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Hypercalcemia of Malignancy, Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma, Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors, Osteoporosis, Paget's Disease
