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Zoledronic acid is used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood that may be caused by certain types of cancer. Zoledronic acid is also used along with cancer chemotherapy to treat bone damage caused by multiple myeloma [cancer that begins in the plasma cells (white blood cells that produce substances needed to fight infection)] or by cancer that began in another part of the body but has spread to the bones. Zoledronic acid is not cancer chemotherapy, and it will not slow or stop the spread of cancer. However, it can be used to treat bone disease in patients who have cancer. Zoledronic acid is in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. It works by slowing bone breakdown and decreasing the amount of calcium released from the bones into the blood.
Zoledronic acid comes as a solution (liquid) to infuse (inject slowly) intravenously (into a vein) over at least 15 minutes. It is usually injected by a health care provider in a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. When zoledronic acid is used to treat high blood levels of calcium caused by cancer it is usually given as a single dose. A second dose may be given at least 7 days after the first dose if blood calcium does not drop to normal levels or remain at normal levels. When zoledronic acid is used to treat bone damage caused by multiple myeloma or cancer that has spread to the bones, it is usually given once every 3–4 weeks. Your doctor will prescribe a calcium supplement and a multivitamin containing vitamin D to take during your treatment. You should take these supplements every day. |