Zometa and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• Sue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2013

For Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "I have been receiving Zometa via IV infusion for about 3 years now. At first, three weekly, then after about a year, four weekly. I have breast cancer and bone metastasis. If I take the infusion over 15 minutes, during the following day I will begin with severe vomiting and flu symptoms, which last for two days and nights, after which I'm fine. However, if I have the infusion over 30 minutes - as advised on the internet way back in the early days of my treatments - I have NO side effects whatsoever, no sickness, no aches, and pains! I have spoken to other women who have experienced the same - take the infusion slower, drink plenty of water, and you might just find your horrid side effects disappear!"

• Deb...
• September 3, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Had 1 T-7 fracture due to the osteoporosis. Recently had the Reclast infusion, and it is awful. Flu-like symptoms? No way, much, much worse. I literally was incapacitated. The pain everywhere in my bones, joints, hips, even my fingers. I feel my doctors were not honest with me about how I would or could really feel. On the positive though, I hope in one year my bone density and bone mass will have improved. I don't want another fracture."

• dch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am 65 and consider myself strong and overall healthy. I will never have this infusion again. My side effects included vomiting, diarrhea, fever, severe neck pain, joint pain including thumbs and knees, and my nose hurt. On my oncologist's suggestion, I had a COVID test, and it came back negative for COVID or the flu. Now, after 17 days, I am still experiencing flu-like symptoms, late-day fatigue, and just an overall blah feeling. I had a breast cancer lumpectomy in August and 4 weeks of radiation. I do not see any benefit of this drug and will try something else to get the calcium in my bones as the side effects are absolutely horrible."

• boo...
• January 25, 2012

For Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "I dreaded the side effects and had none. I had the intravenous infusion three days before Christmas 2011 and was scared that I would be flattened by the supposed side effects like flu-like symptoms, bone ache, and so forth and was pleasantly surprised. I am having my second one in just ten days' time and hopefully, it will be a repeat of the first one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2022

For Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "My husband had his first treatment yesterday. Today he is miserable, 102 fever and flu-like symptoms. He is getting two other chemo for lung cancer and had no side effects. After reading all the comments, I wish he had read these first. We trusted his oncologist, and I know everything has side effects, but this one has knocked him out. I pray he doesn’t let them continue with this one."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I had an infusion of Zometa yesterday, and today I have the worst flu symptoms I have ever had!"