Zometa

Pronunciation: ZOE-le-DRON-ik AS-id
Generic Name: Zoledronic Acid
Brand Name: Zometa

Zometa is used for:

Treating high blood calcium levels caused by cancer. It is also used with other medicines 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 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


• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• you are taking another medicine that contains zoledronic acid or any other bisphosphonate (eg, alendronate)

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, a bone infection, aspirin-sensitive asthma, heart failure, or liver problems


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood calcium levels caused by noncancerous conditions (eg, an overactive parathyroid gland)


• if you have poor dental hygiene or other dental problems, or you will be having a dental procedure (eg, tooth extraction)


• if you have had or will be having chemotherapy or radiation treatment

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zometa. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of jawbone problems may be increased


• 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) 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


• Another medicine that contains zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate (eg, alendronate) because they may increase the risk of Zometa's side effects

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.

How to use Zometa:

Use Zometa as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Zometa is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• Do not use Zometa if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• If you miss a dose of Zometa, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zometa.

Important safety information:

• Zometa may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you use 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.


• It is important to avoid becoming dehydrated while you are using Zometa. Check with your doctor for instructions.


• Zometa may cause jawbone problems in some patients. The risk may be greater if you have cancer, poor dental hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, or are using certain medicines (eg, chemotherapy, corticosteroids). These problems have been often associated with dental procedures. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate dental exam before you begin using Zometa. Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatment while you use Zometa.


• Proper dental care is important while you are using Zometa. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.


• 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 taking 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:

Back pain; constipation; cough; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; headache; mild muscle or joint aches; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; nausea; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; 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; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision or other vision changes; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; fainting; fever or chills; irregular or slow heartbeat; jaw pain or swelling; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression); muscle cramps or spasms; numbness or tingling of the lips, tongue, fingers, or feet; redness, pain, or swelling of the eyes; severe bone, joint, or muscle pain; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; swelling of the ankles or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Zometa side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Zometa:

Zometa is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Zometa at home, store the medicine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Zometa out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zometa, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Zometa is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zometa. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Zometa resources

• Zometa Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zometa Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Zometa Drug Interactions
• Zometa Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Zometa - Add your own review/rating

• Zometa Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zometa Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Zometa Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Zometa Consumer Overview


• Zoledronic Acid Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Aclasta Consumer Overview


• Reclast Consumer Overview


• Reclast Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Zometa with other medications

• Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
• Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma
• Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's Disease