Zoledoc Injection
Zoledoc Injection is used to treat or prevent weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) caused by menopause or use of steroids. Using this medicine can reduce your risk of breaking bones. It is also used to treat high levels of calcium in people who have cancer.
Zoledoc Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Zoledoc Injection is used to treat or prevent weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) caused by menopause or use of steroids. Using this medicine can reduce your risk of breaking bones. It is also used to treat high levels of calcium in people who have cancer.
Zoledoc Injection is used to treat or prevent weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) caused by menopause or use of steroids. Using this medicine can reduce your risk of breaking bones. It is also used to treat high levels of calcium in people who have cancer.
Zoledoc Injection is given by a doctor or nurse. How much you are given, and how often, will be decided by your doctor. It may just be a single injection or you may need regular injections depending upon your underlying condition. Your doctor will ask you to drink plenty of water before the injection, to avoid getting dehydrated. It may take several days to get the full benefit of this drug. Zoledoc Injection is only part of a treatment program that may also include changes to your diet and taking calcium and vitamin supplements.
The most common side effects include nausea, fatigue, anemia, bone pain, fever, and vomiting. Zoledoc Injection can cause serious kidney problems, especially if you are dehydrated, if you take diuretic medicine (water pills) or if you already have kidney disease. It can also cause low levels of calcium in the blood and pain in the mouth or jaw. These are serious side effects and need urgent medical attention. Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of these.
You should not be given this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or low calcium levels. Also, let your doctor know what other medicines you are taking. Some of them may affect, or be affected by, this injection, especially medicines used to treat severe infections and medicines used to treat cancer and osteoporosis. You may need frequent medical tests to check your kidney function and calcium levels. Avoid smoking as it can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can also cause bone loss and should be avoided.
03Uses
Hypercalcemia
Osteoporosis
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Zoledoc Injection is a bisphosphonate. It works by suppressing the activity of osteoclasts, cells that cause destruction of bone. This strengthens the bones and minimizes the risk of fractures.
06What If You Miss A Dose?
Q: What if you forget to take Zoledoc Injection?
A: If you miss a dose of Zoledoc Injection. Please consult your doctor.
07Benefits
In Hypercalcemia
Calcium is a mineral found in different places in your body and has many functions including bone growth. Most of your calcium should be in your bones. When you have more calcium in your blood than normal it is called hypercalcaemia. It is a serious condition and affects a large number of people with cancer. Zoledoc Injection is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. It reduces the amount of calcium in your blood by slowing down the rate at which bone is broken down in your body. This medicine is normally only given once by injection to treat hypercalcaemia, but you may need additional doses. Make sure you attend all appointments with your doctor. Being immobile makes hypercalcaemia worse. Whenever possible you should take regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise. Do not take calcium or vitamin D3 supplements and try to decrease your intake of these in your diet.
08Side Effects
Headache
Back pain
Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Fever
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Fatigue
Bone pain
Nausea
Vomiting
09Safety Information
Alcohol:CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Zoledoc Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zoledoc Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zoledoc Injection is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Zoledoc Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Zoledoc Injection in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Liver:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Zoledoc Injection in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
10Drug Tips
You have been prescribed Zoledoc Injection for the treatment of osteoporosis.
It may also be used to treat high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) or bone damage and pain that may occur with cancer.
It is given by injection into a vein, usually over at least 15 minutes or as directed by your doctor.
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
It can lower the level of calcium in the blood. Take calcium and vitamin D supplements as suggested by your doctor.
You may develop fever or flu like symptoms, such as chills, tiredness and weakness. These are usually temporary and should go away after a few days. You may take a pain reliever/fever reducer to prevent or treat these symptoms.
Zoledoc Injection may cause a rare condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Have regular dental check-ups and inform your doctor if you develop sudden pain in your jaw.
Your doctor will monitor your response to Zoledoc Injection by testing your bone mineral density (BMD). This is usually done every 1-3 years.
Do not take Zoledoc Injection if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
Sources and references
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 1517-18.
Zelodronic acid. Stein, Switzerland: Novartis Pharma Stein; 2001 [revised Apr. 2014]. [Accessed 02 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from: View
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 02 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from: View
Zoledronic acid [Prescribing Information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2016. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from: View
