Zometa

Generic Name: Zoledronic acid
Names of brands: Zometa,

What is Zometa?

Zometa (zoledronic acid) is part of a family of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Zometa blocks the absorption of calcium out of bones.

Zometa can be used to treat Paget’s disease as well as osteoporosis for postmenopausal females.

Zometa s also employed for purposes that are not mentioned in this guide.¶

Warnings and Precautions

Don’t take Zometa without consulting your physician in the event that you’ve experienced reactions to an allergen such as Zometa or similar medications like alendronate (Fosamax) or the etidronate (Didronel) or ibandronate (Boniva) or Pamidronate (Aredia) or risedronate (Actonel) as well as Tiludronate (Skelid).

Do not take Zoledronic acid before telling your physician in case you are expecting. It may cause harm to your unborn child. Make sure you use a safe method of birth control. Also, inform your physician if you develop a pregnancy while receiving treatment.

The doctor might suggest having a dental check-up to determine the need for preventive gum and tooth treatment prior to beginning treatment with Zoledronic acid. This is especially crucial in the case of cancer, are taking chemotherapy or steroids, or suffer from dental problems.

Certain patients who are taking medications like Zometa have suffered from jaw bone loss which is also known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Signs of this disease could include jaw discomfort, swelling, numbness, gum inflammation, loose teeth, or slow healing after injuries or surgeries that involve the gums. It is possible to develop osteonecrosis in the jaw if you are suffering from cancer or have had treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, or steroids. Other ailments that are associated with osteonecrosis in the jaw are blood clotting disorders as well as anemia (low red blood cells) and previous dental problems.¶

In summary :

• Patients who are treated with Zoledronic acid injections shouldn’t be treated using the drug Zometa (r).
• Rehydrate patients in a timely manner with malignancy who have hypercalcemia prior to the administration of the injection of Zometa and observe electrolytes throughout treatment.
• It is possible that renal toxicity will be more severe in patients with impaired renal function. Avoid doses that are greater than four mg. Treatment for patients suffering from serious renal impairments is not advised. Check serum creatinine prior to every dose.
• Osteonecrosis in the jaw (ONJ) was identified. Dental exams for prevention must be conducted prior to starting the injection of Zometas. Avoid any invasive dental procedures.
• A severe incapacitating joint, bone, or muscle pain could be experienced. Discontinue Zometa injection if severe symptoms occur.
• Diaphyseal and subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were reported among patients who receive bisphosphonate therapy. The fractures can occur following minor damage or without trauma. Examine patients suffering from discomfort in the groin or thigh to determine if there is a fracture in the femur. Beware of discontinuing medication for patients who may have an unusual femur fracture.
• Hypocalcemia: Make sure you are in good shape prior to initiating the injection of Zometas. Be sure to adequately supply patients with vitamin D and calcium. Check the serum calcium levels closely in conjunction with the administration of other medications that can cause hypocalcemia. This will help avoid serious dangerous hypocalcemia.
• Zometa injections can cause harm to fetuses. Women should be warned of the danger to the fetus, and to take advantage of effective contraception.

Prior to receiving Zometa

It is not recommended to take Zometa in the event that you are allergic to Zometas or similar medications like alendronate (Fosamax) and Etidronate (Didronel) Ibandronate (Boniva) and Pamidronate (Aredia) and risedronate (Actonel) and Tiludronate (Skelid).

Also, you should not get Zometa If you suffer from:

• Low levels of calcium in your blood.
• impaired kidney function; or
• If you are expecting or breastfeeding.

Zometa, as well as Zometa, are two distinct versions of Zometa. It is not recommended to be treated with Zometa when you’re already receiving Zometa. Before you receive the Zometa injection, inform your doctor that you are currently receiving Zometa.

Before you receive Zometa tell your physician if you suffer from:

• aspirin-sensitive asthma;
• A thyroid or parathyroid condition;
• malabsorption disorder (an inability to properly absorb nutrients and food correctly);
• an occurrence of surgical removal of a portion of your intestine
• bone cancer; or
• kidney disease.

The doctor might suggest having a dental check-up to ensure that you are receiving preventive dental and gum treatment prior to starting treatments with Zometa. This is particularly important in the case of cancer, are taking chemotherapy or steroids, or are suffering from poor dental health.

Some patients who are taking medications like Zometa have experienced jaw bone loss which is also known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Signs of this disease could include jaw pain and swelling, numbness or gum infections, loose teeth, or slow healing following injuries or surgeries that involve the gums.

There is a higher chance to suffer from osteonecrosis of your jaw if you suffer from cancer or have had treatment using radiation, chemotherapy, or steroids. Other ailments that are associated with osteonecrosis in the jaw are blood clotting disorders as well as anemia (low red blood cells) and dental surgery or existing dental issues.

FDA classification for pregnancy D. This medication could harm an unborn child. Don’t take Zometa without informing your physician when you’re expecting. Make sure you are using a reliable method of birth control and inform your doctor if pregnant while receiving treatment. Zometa is a substance that can be found in breast milk and could harm nursing babies. Do not take Zometa without informing your doctor whether you are breastfeeding your baby.

How to take Zometa?

This is administered by injection with a needle inserted in the vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic or in a hospital. The medicine should be administered slowly, via an IV infusion. It can take up to 15 minutes to finish.

This drug may be prescribed only every year. Follow the instructions of your physician.

Take at least two glasses of water just a few hours before your injection to prevent becoming dehydrated.

Your physician may ask you to take calcium or vitamin D supplements when you’re receiving treatment for Zometa. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding the strength and type of calcium that you need to take.

To make sure Zometa can help your condition and is not producing adverse unwanted side effects the blood of your patient needs to be checked frequently. Your kidney function could be a factor to be checked. It is crucial to do not to miss any appointments with your physician.

Information and usage 

This is indicated for the treatment of

• Hypercalcemia is a sign of malignancy.
• Patients suffering from multiple myeloma or patients with bone metastases documented from solid tumors, when combined with the standard antineoplastic treatment. Prostate cancer must have grown after treatment with at minimum one hormone treatment.

Limitations of Use The safety and effectiveness of Zometa injections have been questioned for their use for hyperparathyroidism or other non-tumor-related hypercalcemia.

Dosage and Administration

Usual Adult Dosage to treat Osteolytic Bone Lesions in Multiple Myeloma

Zometa 4 mg IV every at least 15 minutes every 3-4 weeks.Comments oral calcium supplement of 500 mg as well as a multivitamin containing 400 Vitamin D units per day is recommended.
Uses: Patients suffering from multiple myeloma as well as patients who have bone metastases that have been identified caused by solid tumors when used in combination with the standard antineoplastic therapy.

Usual Adult Dose Osteolytic bone metastases from solid tumors

Zometa 4 mg intravenously over at least 15 minutes, once every 3-4 weeks.
Comments: An oral calcium supplement of 500 mg as well as an additional vitamin that contains 400 doses of vitamin D per day is recommended.
Uses: Patients suffering from multiple myeloma or patients who have bone metastases that have been identified due to solid tumors used in combination with the standard antineoplastic therapy.

Normal Adult Dose for Hypercalcemia as a Malignancy

Maximum dose: One dose of IV infusion 4 mg for not less than 15 minutes.
Comments: If the serum calcium levels do not return to normal levels, a retreatment procedure is recommended after seven days.
Use: Treatment for malignancy-related hypercalcemia (albumin-corrected calcium of 12 mg/dL or higher).

If I don’t take the dose?

Consult your physician if you have missed a dose of Zometa.

If I consume too much?

Contact emergency medical assistance If you suspect you’ve taken excessive Zometa. The signs of an overdose could include tingling or numbness of your feet or hands and muscle stiffness and spasms in muscles that surround your eyes, irregular heartbeats, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

What to avoid?

Avoid performing any dental procedure while receiving treatment with Zometa. It could take longer than usual for you to heal.

Zometa side effects

Contact your doctor immediately If you experience any of the symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as asthmatic hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue. Contact your doctor immediately in case you experience any of these severe reactions:

• The frequency of urination is lower than normal, or none at all
• muscles spasms, numbness or tingly sensation (especially in the mouth);
• chills, fevers, and body aches. symptoms;
• pale skin, easy bruising rare weakness
• painful joint, bone, or muscle pain in the joint, bone, or muscle.

Less severe Zometa adverse effects could be:

• cough;
• chest pain
• Loss of appetite, nausea vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• fatigue, headache, dizziness sensation;
• lower blood pressure and swelling of your feet or legs;
• joint, muscle or bone discomfort or
• swelling or redness in the area where the needle was.

This isn’t a complete list of all side effects. other side effects could occur. Inform your physician about any unusual or unpleasant adverse reaction.

What other medications can impact Zometa?

Before taking Zometa to inform your doctor if taking any of the following medicines:

• A diuretic (water pill);
• an antibiotic like amikacin (Amikin) and an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), (Garamycin) Kanamycin (Kantrex) and neomycin (Mycifradin Neo-Fradin, NeoTab, Neo-Fradin) netilmicin (Netromycin) and streptomycin tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);
• Other medications that could affect your kidneys like pentamidine (Nebupent) and tacrolimus (Prograf) amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), capreomycin (Capastat), and the drug rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater) vancomycin (Vancocin Vancoled) Acyclovir (Zovirax) Adefovir (Hepsera) Cidofovir (Vistide) as well foscarnet (Foscavir) as well as
• chemotherapy drugs like aldesleukin (Proleukin) Carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), Cisplatin (Platinol) as well as IFOSFamide (Ifex) and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) and the drug plicamycin (Mithracin) and streptozocin (Zanosar) or thalidomide (Thalomid) and Tretinoin (Vesanoid).

The list below isn’t exhaustive and there are other medications that interfere with Zometa. Inform your doctor about every prescription and over-the-counter medicine you take. This includes minerals, vitamins or herbal supplements, as well as medications prescribed by doctors. Do not begin taking any new medication without first talking to your physician.

How supplied

• Zometa Injection
• 4 mg/5 mL (0.8 mg/mL)
• prescription only

Additional details

• The best efforts have been made to make sure that the information given is up-to-date, accurate. However, there is no guarantee in this regard. Information on drugs in this publication could be time-sensitive.
• A lack of warning on a particular drug or combination of drugs does not in any way taken to mean that the substance or combination is effective, safe, or appropriate for a particular patient. The information in this article is not intended to be comprehensive and covers all possible use, directions, precautions and warnings, interactions with other drugs as well as allergic reactions or other adverse reactions.