General English name: Zoledronic acid
Brand: Aclasta, Zometa
Application: Osteoporosis – Paget’s disease – Bone problems associated with some cancers
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Drug information for Zoledronic acid
Medication Information: Zoldronic acid is a biophosphonate that is prescribed to treat a number of different problems that affect the bone. Zoldronic acid is prescribed to treat osteoporosis and prevent bone damage in people with Paget’s disease. It is also prescribed as a treatment for people with some cancers to reduce bone damage and blood calcium levels.
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and makes bones more susceptible to fragility. Throughout our lives, old bone tissue is constantly being replaced by new bone. As we get older, our bone density decreases because the old bone dies faster than the new bone can be replaced. Zoldronic acid reduces the rate of bone death in the elderly, which in turn increases bone density overall.
In Paget’s disease of the bone, zoldronic acid strengthens the bones and prevents them from thickening. This action of the drug helps to reduce symptoms such as pain, injury and bone fractures.
In some cancers, there is a severe breakdown of the bone, which results in calcium being expelled from the bone and leaking into the bloodstream, leading to increased levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). Zoldronic acid binds to the bone and reduces the rate of bone fractures, which helps strengthen bones and prevent calcium loss, which in turn reduces hypercalcemia (excessive levels of calcium in the blood).
Zoldronic acid is injected intravenously in a hospital, and you should drink a few glasses of water during treatment so that your body does not become dehydrated.
Contraindications to Zoledronic acid
- It is contraindicated for children, keep the medicine out of their reach.
Zoldronic acid cannot be used by pregnant women.
- If you are undergoing dental treatment and have gone to the dentist or had dental surgery, tell your doctor and tell them what medications you are taking.
Drug interaction of Zoledronic acid
Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter medicines and herbal products) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.
When taking zoldronic acid, you should not use other bisphosphonates, including other brands of zoldronic acid, to prevent or treat osteoporosis.
Some medications that may interact with zoledronic acid include: Calcium-containing medications, water pills (diuretics such as pomatanides, furosemide).
Also tell your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that may be harmful to the kidneys, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg gentamicin, tebremycin), amphotericin B, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), tacrolimus.
Tips to consider before taking Zoledronic acid
Some medications are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed; Therefore, it is best for your doctor to be aware of the following before taking zoldronic acid:
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding. In this case, you should not use zoldronic acid.
- If you need dental treatment in the near future and if you have not recently checked your teeth.
- If you have a heart problem.
- If you have a kidney problem, you have a liver.
- If you are currently taking certain medications. These medicines include all the medicines available, whether you are prescribed them or taking them without a doctor’s prescription, such as herbal medicines and complementary medicines.
- If you have a history of an allergic reaction to a drug.
Possible side effects of Zoledronic acid
All medications can cause side effects; But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. In case of persistent side effects, the doctor should be informed:
Common side effects: Conjunctivitis, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, headache, fever, pain, cold-like symptoms, changes in heart rhythm, changes in the results of a series of blood tests, and swelling or pain at the injection site.
Uncommon side effects: Pain in the thigh or groin, loose teeth, swollen jaw pain or numbness
Consult your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you feel are due to the use of zoldronic acid.