Zoledronic Acid (Cont.)

Zoledronic Acid: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking zoledronic acid if you have:
 
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Asthma
  • Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Had thyroid or parathyroid surgery
  • Problems absorbing vitamins and minerals from your diet
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Zoledronic Acid to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does Zoledronic Acid Work?

Zoledronic acid belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are most commonly used to treat osteoporosis, but some can be used to treat other conditions. Zoledronic acid works to prevent or delay broken bones (fractures) or other bone damage by slowing the destruction that occurs with Paget's disease, osteoporosis, and cancer and by fighting the abnormal cells that cause bone to wear away.
 
When cancer causes bone destruction, large amounts of calcium are released into the bloodstream, leading to high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). This can be very dangerous. By slowing down the breakdown of bone, zoledronic acid helps to treat high calcium levels caused by cancer.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;