Zometa (Zoledronic acid) for Myeloma

Overview
Zometa is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with multiple myeloma. Some doctors may also prescribe Zometa for people who have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Zometa may be referred to by its drug name, zoledronic acid.

Zometa is a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are believed to work in cases of myeloma by reducing the activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone. Bisphosphonates are believed to work by reducing the number of bone lesions, thereby improving pain and lowering the risk for fractures.

How do I take it?
Zometa is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion every three to four weeks.

Zometa comes in vials of concentrated or prepared solution.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Zometa lists common side effects including nausea, fatigue, anemia, bone pain, constipation, fever, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Zometa include kidney toxicity, osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) in the jaw, atypical femoral (upper leg) fractures, fetal harm, hypersensitivity reactions, and severe bone, muscle, or joint pain.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Zometa — FDA
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/...

Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma — American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/...

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...