Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Zoledronic acid

Post your experience
See others (1 there)

Zoledronic acid is given by intravenous infusion in a hospital setting.
Your doctor may recommend that you see your dentist before receiving treatment.

About zoledronic acid

Type of medicine	Bisphosphonate
Used for	Strengthening bone in cancer patients Tumour-induced hypercalcaemia (high levels of calcium in the blood as a result of cancer) Paget's disease (bone breaks down more quickly, and when it grows again it is softer than normal bone) Treatment of osteoporosis
Also called	Aclasta® Zometa®
Available as	Injection

Zoledronic Acid works by binding to bone and stopping it from being broken down. It also has an anti-cancer effect on the cancer cells in the bone that helps reduce the growth of the cancer in the bones.

When osteoclasts (cells that nibble at and break down bone) remove calcium from the bones, the calcium then seeps into the blood. In cancer, there is excessive breakdown of bone which leads to high levels of calcium in the blood. As zoledronic acid prevents the calcium being removed from the bone, it can be used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood that are a result of cancer.

Before taking zoledronic acid

Before taking zoledronic acid make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from liver, kidney or heart problems.
If you suffer from hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium in the blood).
If you have had an allergy to any of the group of drugs called bisphosphonates.

How to take zoledronic acid

Zoledronic acid is given by intravenous infusion in a hospital setting.

Getting the most from your treatment

Your doctor may recommend that you see your dentist if you are at risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (a disease where the bone is no longer alive and cannot re-form itself).

Can zoledronic acid cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Conjunctivitis	Ask your pharmacist to recommend some eye drops.
Diarrhoea	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting	Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If vomiting occurs, drink plenty of liquid.
Headache	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer.
Lethargy, generalised pain, flu-like symptoms	Take plenty of rest.

Important: If you experience difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention straight away.

Important: If you experience dizziness, chest pains, palpitations and breathlessness, contact your doctor straight away.

How to store zoledronic acid

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Manufacturer's PIL, Aclasta®, Novartis Europharm Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2008, accessed February 2009.
Manufacturer's PIL, Zometa®, Novartis Europharm Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated July 2008, accessed February 2009.
British National Formulary; 56th Edition (September 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 3882

DocRef: dils3922

Last Reviewed: 9 May 2007

Version: 25

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

View Patient Experience for 'Bisphosphonates' (1 there)

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window