About zoledronic acid
Bisphosphonate bone-resorption inhibitor
Used for
- Treats osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men
- Prevents fractures after hip fracture
- Treats Paget’s disease of bone
- Prevents bone loss from long-term steroid use
Usual adult dose
Usually 5 mg by intravenous infusion once yearly for osteoporosis; Paget’s disease is usually treated with one infusion.
Common side effects
- Fever, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
- Low blood calcium
Important warnings
- Kidney function and blood calcium should be checked before treatment.
- Avoid with severe kidney impairment or untreated low blood calcium.
- Rarely causes jawbone problems or unusual thigh-bone fractures.
- Maintain adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy; may harm fetal bone development.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during treatment; discuss timing with a clinician.
Interactions
- Other medicines that can harm the kidneys may increase kidney injury risk.
- Calcium-lowering medicines may increase the risk of low blood calcium.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.