Generic Name: Zoledronic Acid (ZOE-le-DRON-ik)
Brand Name: Zometa
Zometa is used for:
Treating high blood calcium levels caused by cancer. It is also used with other medications to treat patients with certain types of cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Zometa is a bisphosphonate. It works by decreasing the breakdown of bone. This reduces the amount of calcium that is released into the blood from bones and helps to lower your blood calcium level.
Do NOT use Zometa if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Zometa or to any other bisphosphonate (eg, alendronate)
- you are taking another bisphosphonate
- you have severe kidney problems and you also have a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma) or cancer that has moved into the bones from other parts of the body
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Zometa :
Some medical conditions may interact with Zometa . 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, cancer, dental problems, bone infection, or aspirin-sensitive asthma
- if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zometa . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg, gentamicin) or loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) because the risk of low blood calcium levels may be increased
- Medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin) or thalidomide because the risk of kidney problems may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zometa 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.
Important safety information:
- Zometa may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zometa with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Ask your doctor about taking a calcium and vitamin D supplement while you are using Zometa .
- Zometa may cause jaw bone problems in some patients. The risk may be greater if you 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 exam before you begin using Zometa .
- Certain dental procedures should be avoided if possible while you are using Zometa . Check with your doctor and dentist before having any dental treatments while using Zometa .
- Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood electrolyte levels (eg, calcium, magnesium, phosphate), may be performed while you use Zometa . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Zometa should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Zometa if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Zometa is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are using Zometa .
Possible side effects of Zometa :
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:
Constipation; cough; dehydration; diarrhea; dizziness; mild flu-like symptoms (fever; chills; flushing; bone pain; joint pain; muscle aches); nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; depression; irregular heartbeat; jaw pain or swelling; numbness or tingling of the skin; persistent fever, chills, or sore throat; severe bone, joint, or muscle pain; severe dizziness; unusual tiredness or weakness; white patches in the mouth.
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)
