Zometa

Zometa is a medication that is used for treating high blood calcium levels due to cancer and preventing broken bones due to multiple myeloma or solid tumor cancers that have spread to the bone. The drug, which is available by prescription, is administered through an IV by a healthcare provider. Most people tolerate Zometa well, but potential side effects may include nausea, fever, and fatigue.

 

What Is Zometa?

Zometa® (zoledronic acid) is a prescription medication that belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. It is used to treat the following conditions:
 
  • High blood calcium levels due to cancer (known medically as hypercalcemia of malignancy)
  • Multiple myeloma or solid tumor cancers that have spread to the bone (to help prevent or delay broken bones or other bone damage).
     
(Click Zometa Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Zometa?

It is made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
 

How Does It Work?

Zometa belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are most commonly used to treat osteoporosis, but some can be used to treat other conditions. This medication works to prevent or delay broken bones (fractures) or other bone damage by slowing the destruction that occurs with cancer and by fighting the abnormal cells that cause bone to wear away.
 
When cancer causes bone destruction, large amounts of calcium are released into the bloodstream, leading to high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). This can be very dangerous. By slowing down the breakdown of bone, Zometa helps to treat high calcium levels caused by cancer.
 

Effectiveness

Two studies compared Zometa with pamidronate (Aredia®), another bisphosphonate, for the treatment of high blood calcium due to cancer. Ten days after the injection, 88 percent of people who took Zometa had normal calcium levels, compared to 70 percent of those who took Aredia.
 
Zometa has also been studied for preventing broken bones and other bone problems in people with cancer that affects the bone. These studies measured the occurrence of indicators of bone problems, such as broken bones, bone surgery, bone radiation therapy, and spinal cord compression (pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal fractures or other problems). People who took Zometa had fewer of these problems, compared to those who did not take it. Zometa also delayed the development of these bone problems.
 

When and How to Take Zometa

General considerations for when and how to take it include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in injection form. It is given by IV by your healthcare provider, usually at a hospital or cancer clinic or center. The Zometa IV should be given over a period of at least 15 minutes (giving it too quickly increases the risk of kidney problems).
     
  • For high blood calcium, it is given as a single dose (although in some situations, re-treatment may be necessary).
     
  • For preventing bone problems due to multiple myeloma or solid tumors, it is given once every three to four weeks.
     
  • It is important that you get enough calcium and vitamin D while taking this medication.
     
  • You can take Zometa on an empty or full stomach.
     
  • It is very important that you are well hydrated before receiving your Zometa dose in order to protect your kidneys. Make sure to drink enough fluids in the days before your dose. In many cases, your healthcare provider may need to give you IV fluids to make sure you are hydrated enough.
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Zometa that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How well your kidneys are functioning
  • The condition being treated
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Zometa dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Zometa Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Zometa. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Zometa include, but are not limited to:
 
(Click Zometa Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Zometa

Zometa can potentially interact with a number of different medications (see Zometa Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
 
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Asthma
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Zometa Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who are given too much Zometa may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
  • Low blood magnesium (hypomagnesemia)
  • Low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia).
     
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Zometa Overdose for more information.)
 

Strengths

Zometa is available in one strength -- Zometa 4 mg (in a 5 mL vial).
 

Generic Zometa

At this time, Zometa is not available in generic form (see Generic Zometa).
 
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;