Zoledronic Acid [For hypercalcemia]

Indications

Osteoporosis

Zoledronic Acid [For hypercalcemia] is used to treat hypercalcaemia of malignancy, bone metastases associated with solid tumours, and osteolytic lesions associated with multiple myeloma. It is also used for corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Other uses are Paget's disease of bone and the prophylaxis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Zoledronic acid is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, and it works mainly on bone. It stops osteoclasts from breaking bone down (this is called bone resorption). Bisphosphonates bind strongly to mineralized bone, and after an intravenous dose zoledronic acid moves quickly into the bone. Inside the osteoclast, its main molecular target is the enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, though other mechanisms are not ruled out.

In clinical studies of tumour-induced hypercalcemia, zoledronic acid lowered serum calcium and reduced the amount of calcium passed in the urine. Besides blocking bone resorption, it also has anti-tumour, anti-angiogenic and anti-pain activity. It has cytostatic and pro-apoptotic effects on tumour cells too, and it shows a synergistic cytostatic effect with other anti-cancer drugs.

When doses were repeated every 28 days, the active substance did not build up in plasma. Zoledronic acid is not metabolized. The kidney excretes it unchanged.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Zoledronic acid must not be used during pregnancy or by women who are breast-feeding. It is also not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Hypercalcemia of malignancy The maximum recommended dose of Zoledronic Acid for hypercalcemia of malignancy (serum calcium 12 mg/dl or 3.0 mmol/l) is 4 mg. This 4 mg dose must be given as a single-dose intravenous infusion. If a patient has mild-to-moderate renal impairment, the dose of Zoledronic Acid doesn't need to be adjusted. Re-treatment may be considered if serum calcium does not return to normal after the first treatment. At least 7 days should pass before re-treatment, so the initial dose has time to give its full response. Multiple myeloma and bone metastases of solid tumors For patients with multiple myeloma and metastatic bone lesions from solid tumors, the recommended dose of Zoledronic Acid is 4 mg infused every 3 to 4 weeks. These patients should also be given an oral calcium supplement of 500 mg and 400 IU of Vitamin-D daily.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.

Key Interactions

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