Most common side effects are post-dose fever, flu-like symptoms, myalgia, arthralgia, and headache which usually occur in the first 3 days after infusion and are self-limited. Rare adverse effects include renal dysfunction, hypocalcemia, atrial fibrillation, and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Your doctor can recommend a mild pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce these side effects. The chance of experiencing these side effects decreases with subsequent doses of Zoledronic acid 5 mg.
Zoledronic acid medication is a long-acting drug. As such, it stays in your body longer than 12 months (probably more than 24 months). Therefore, delaying your treatment for a number of months will not put you at a higher risk of sustaining fragility fracture nor cause significant decline in your bone mineral density.
Zoledronic acid can cause flu-like symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, fatigue, shivering and fever. These can last for a few days. Your treatment team can advise you about taking mild pain relief to help.
Do not take zoledronic acid while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you inadvertently become pregnant while being administered zoledronic acid, tell your doctor immediately.
Patients who are treated with zoledronic acid can experience acute phase reactions. Symptoms include fever, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal effects, and eye inflammation.
Medicare recipients who are prescribed zoledronic acid as an outpatient treatment, Medicare Part B may cover some of the cost of your care and medication. There may be a copay or coinsurance amount that applies, as well as a deductible amount that must be met before costs are covered by Medicare.
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Reclast including urinating less than usual or not at all; drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, muscle spasms, numbness or tingling (especially around your mouth), ...
A Link between Poor Dental Health and Risk of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Zoledronic acid and similar drugs, known as bisphosphonates, interfere with the breakdown of bone tissue that results when cancer cells grow in the bone.
Zoledronate (zoledronic acid) Zoledronate is a drug treatment for osteoporosis. It can help to strengthen bones, making them less likely to break. It is given as an intravenous infusion (IV or 'drip') once a year.
Bone, Joint, and Muscle Pain
Zoledronic acid can cause bone, joint and/or muscle pain that can be severe. This can occur from 1 day to several months after starting the medication. Report these symptoms to your provider, who can advise you on strategies to relieve the pain.
Zoledronic acid (Zometa) is not cancer chemotherapy, and it will not slow or stop the spread of cancer.
Pamidronate (infusion)
Pamidronate is given in several doses, intravenously (an infusion into the bloodstream), and repeated when necessary, dependant on symptoms. Doses can vary, but commonly 60mg is given by an infusion over a period of four hours and this is repeated on three consecutive days.
Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, fatigue, decreased red blood cell count (anemia), constipation, fever, shortness of breath (dyspnea) and bone pain. May damage fertility or unborn child.
Zoledronic acid is generally well tolerated. Additional comparative data are required to definitively position zoledronic acid with respect to other agents.
Adverse reactions that have been attributed to zoledronic acid include nausea, fever and itching. Hypocalcaemia will occur in 6% of patients. If this is symptomatic the patient may need to be given calcium gluconate. Renal function should be monitoredas it can be impaired by bisphosphonates.
Acute phase reactions have occurred within three days after administration of this drug with symptoms of pyrexia, fatigue, bone pain and/or arthralgias, myalgias, chills, and influenza-like illness.
Zoledronic acid administered as a 5 mg intravenous infusion annually increases bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck by 6.7% and 5.1% respectively and reduces the incidence of new vertebral and hip fractures by 70% and 41% respectively in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Musculoskeletal side effects following intravenous zolendronic acid, have also been reported, including the onset of new arthritis, painful joints and flare of existing osteoarthritis (11, 18, 24).
blood pressure changes either low or high. increased risk of getting an infection due to low levels of white blood cells in the blood. bruising, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds due to low levels of platelets in the blood. difficulty breathing and wheezing.
Zoledronic acid has an average rating of 4.7 out of 10 from a total of 221 reviews for the treatment of Osteoporosis. 32% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 48% reported a negative experience.
If you are having zoledronic acid to help prevent the cancer coming back, you will have an infusion once every 6 months for 3 to 5 years. If you are having zoledronic acid to lower calcium levels in your blood, it is usually given as a single dose.