Effects of Zoledronic Acid

Zoledronic acid has been studied in several studies for various conditions.

 

Two studies compared zoledronic acid with pamidronate (Aredia^®), another bisphosphonate, for the treatment of high blood calcium due to cancer. About 10 days after the injection, 88 percent of people who took zoledronic acid had normal calcium levels, compared to 70 percent of those who took Aredia.

 

Zoledronic acid has also been studied for preventing broken bones and other bone problems in people with cancer that affects the bone. These studies measured the occurrence of indicators of bone problems, such as broken bones, bone surgery, bone radiation therapy, and spinal cord compression (pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal fractures or other problems). People who took zoledronic acid had fewer of these problems, compared to those who did not take zoledronic acid. Zoledronic acid also delayed the development of these bone problems.

 

One way to assess the severity of Paget's disease is by measuring the level of alkaline phosphate in the blood. In studies, zoledronic acid was shown to decrease alkaline phosphate levels, which indicates that it helps to improve Paget's disease. Studies compared a single dose of zoledronic acid with daily Actonel^® (risedronate) 30 mg, a similar medication used to treat Paget's disease. Up to 89 percent of people who took zoledronic acid achieved normal alkaline phosphate levels, compared to just 58 percent of those taking Actonel. Additionally, zoledronic acid seemed to work more quickly than Actonel.