Zoledronic acid brands and prices in Pakistan

About Zoledronic acid

Zoledronic acid is a bone medicine from the bisphosphonate group. It sticks to bone and slows down the cells that break bone down, which helps make bones stronger and lowers the amount of calcium in the blood. It is not a tablet: it is given as a drip into a vein by a doctor or nurse trained to give it, usually in a hospital or clinic. Treatment is started and planned by specialist teams, such as bone (osteoporosis) or cancer teams. Different products are used for thin bones and for cancer-related bone problems, and the specialist decides which one, how much and how often.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• It must not be given if you are allergic to zoledronic acid or any other bisphosphonate.
• It is not given if you have low blood calcium that has not been treated. Low calcium must be corrected first.
• People with severe kidney problems may not be able to have it. Your kidneys are checked with a blood test before each treatment.
• Pregnancy: it should not be given during pregnancy and may harm an unborn baby. Use reliable contraception during treatment, and tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant. Because the medicine can stay in the body for years, talk to your doctor if you might want a baby in the future.
• Breastfeeding: it should not be given while breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated, or have vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or an infection, or cannot drink enough fluids.
• Tell your doctor if you have had treatment with zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate before.
• Tell your doctor if you have had surgery on your parathyroid glands, thyroid or bowel, as this raises the risk of low calcium.
• Tell your doctor if you have problems with your teeth, gums or mouth. Jaw bone damage is more likely with cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroid medicines, smoking, gum disease or dental surgery.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart failure or worries about your heart rhythm, liver disease, asthma that gets worse with aspirin, or an eye inflammation condition.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics, calcitonin, loop water tablets (diuretics) and other medicines that lower calcium, because blood calcium may drop too low
• Thalidomide and other medicines that can harm the kidneys
• Other zoledronic acid products or other bisphosphonates
• Some cancer medicines that block the growth of new blood vessels (anti-angiogenic medicines), which raise the risk of jaw bone damage
• Aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen: tell your doctor if you take them, and ask before starting them
• Tell your treatment team about all your medicines, including ones you buy, vitamins and herbal remedies

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• You will not give this medicine yourself. A trained doctor or nurse gives it as a drip into a vein, and you may be watched for a reaction during the drip.
• You will have blood tests before treatment to check your kidneys and calcium, and sometimes your vitamin D.
• Drink plenty of water or other fluids before and after the drip to protect your kidneys. You can eat normally on the day.
• See a dentist for a check-up before starting if your doctor advises it, and finish any dental work first. Tell any dentist that you are having this medicine.
• Brush and clean your teeth well and keep up regular dental check-ups.
• Take calcium and vitamin D supplements if your doctor tells you to.
• If you get flu-like symptoms, a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which is right for you.
• If you miss a treatment appointment, contact your clinic as soon as you can to rearrange it. Do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor, who will decide how long you need it.
• For thin bones, also keep active with weight-bearing exercise, eat a balanced diet, do not smoke and keep alcohol within recommended limits.
• Take care with driving or using machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy.

Common questions

Why is zoledronic acid given as a drip and not as tablets?
For thin bones, it is usually offered to people who cannot take bisphosphonate tablets. Its effect on bone lasts a long time, so it is not needed often. Your specialist will tell you when your next treatment is due.

Will I feel ill after the drip?
Some people get flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and aching muscles or joints, mostly after the first treatment. These usually go away within a few days and are less common with later treatments. A simple painkiller may help; ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Why do I need to look after my teeth?
Rarely, this medicine can cause damage to the jaw bone, especially after dental surgery or with gum disease. A dental check before starting, good mouth care and telling your dentist about your treatment help lower this risk.

Will it ease the pain from my broken bone?
No. It makes bones stronger to lower the chance of future breaks, but it does not treat pain. Ask your doctor about pain relief.

Can I get pregnant after having zoledronic acid?
It should not be used in pregnancy, and the medicine can stay in the body for years after treatment ends. If you might want a baby in the future, talk to your doctor before and after treatment.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.