Zometa

Drugs

Generic Name: Zoledronic acid
Product Name: Zometa

Indication of Zometa
Action of Zometa
Dose advice of Zometa
Schedule of Zometa
Common side effects of Zometa
Uncommon side effects of Zometa
Reference

Indication of Zometa:

Zometa is used to slow down the spread of cancers in bone, helping to prevent changes to the bones that may cause them to weaken and fracture. It is used in people with multiple myeloma (advanced cancer of the bone marrow) and other advanced cancers that have spread to the bone. This medicine is used in addition to other standard cancer treatments. Zometa is also used to lower the amount of calcium in the blood when it becomes too high (known as hypercalcaemia).

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Action of Zometa:

Some cancers can speed up normal changes in bone so that the amount of calcium released from the bones into the blood is increased. Zometa belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates, which strongly bind to bone. These medicines slow down the rate of bone change and help to restore the amount of calcium in the blood to normal.

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Dose advice of Zometa:

Zometa is given as a 15 minute infusion into a vein. You may also be given an infusion of fluids to ensure that you do not become dehydrated. To lower the amount of calcium in the blood, the usual dose of Zometa is 4 mg, given as a single infusion. If the calcium level starts to rise again, another infusion can be given, usually with an increased dose of 8 mg Zometa. To treat cancer in the bone, the usual dose is 4 mg, given as an infusion every 3 to 4 weeks. Your doctor may also prescribe a daily calcium supplement and a multiple vitamin containing Vitamin D. Before each dose of Zometa, a blood test will taken to ensure that the medication is not effecting your kidneys.

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Schedule of Zometa:

Schedule 4

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Common side effects of Zometa:

The most common side-effects are:^1,3

Fever
A flu-likesyndrome consisting of
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Joint, and/or muscle pain
Headache
Elevation of serum creatinine
Impaired renal function
Anaemia
Conjunctivitis
Asymptomatic hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia.
Nausea and vomiting
loss of appetite

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Uncommon side effects of Zometa:

Uncommon side effects include:^1,3

Diarrhoea,
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Dyspepsia
Stomatitis
Dry mouth
Thrombocytopaenia
Leucopaenia
Hypertension
Blurred vision
Asthenia
Peripheral oedema
Local reactions at injection sites
Chest pain
Weight gain
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hypomagnesaemia
Hypokalaemia
Muscle Pain
Dizziness
Taste disturbance
Hypo/hyper-aesthesia
Tremor
Anxiety
Sleep disturbance
Acute renal failure
Haematuria
Proteinuria
Pruritus
Rashes

Very rare cases of osteonecrosis (primarily of the jaws) have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates.^1,3 The majority of the reports refer to cancer patients following tooth extractions or other dental surgeries.^1,3 Osteonecrosis of the jaws has multiple well documented risk factors including a diagnosis of cancer, concomitant therapies (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, corticosteroids) and co-morbid conditions (e.g. anaemia, coagulopathies, infection, pre-existing oral disease).^1,3 Although causality cannot be determined, it is prudent to avoid dental surgery as recovery may be prolonged.^1,3 For others refer to the approved PI.¹

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Reference:

MIMS Australia. MIMSOnline Prescribing Information: Zometa [Online]. 2004 [cited 23/11/2004]. Available from URL: http://proxy8.use.hcn.com.au/ifmx-nsapi/mims-data/?MIval=2MIMS_abbr_pi&product_code=5762&product_name=Zometa
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd. Zometa Consumer Medicine Information. North Ryde, New South Wales: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd; 2004.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd. Zometa Product Information. North Ryde, New South Wales: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd; 2004.

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