Aclasta

Aclasta contains zoledronic acid (sometimes called zoledronate). It belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. Zoledronic acid inhibits the release of calcium from bones.

Aclasta is used to treats Paget's disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Aclasta may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Your doctor may recommend you have a dental exam for preventive tooth and gum care before you start your treatment with Aclasta. This is especially important if you have cancer, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or using steroids, or if you have poor dental health.

Some people using medicines similar to Aclasta have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums. You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and pre-existing dental problems.

You should also not receive Aclasta if you have:

• low levels of calcium in your blood; or
• low kidney function; or
• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Zometa and Reclast are two different brands of zoledronic acid. You should not be treated with Reclast if you are already receiving Zometa. Before receiving a Reclast injection, tell your doctor if you are already being treated with Zometa.

Before receiving Aclasta, tell your doctor if you have:

• aspirin-sensitive asthma;
• a thyroid or parathyroid disorder;
• malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly);
• a history of surgical removal of part of your intestine;
• bone cancer; or
• kidney disease.

Your doctor may recommend you have a dental exam for preventive tooth and gum care before you start your treatment with Aclasta. This is especially important if you have cancer, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or using steroids, or if you have poor dental health.

Some people using medicines similar to Aclasta have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums.

You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery or pre-existing dental problems.

• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• muscle spasms, numb or tingly feeling (especially around your mouth);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual weakness; or
• severe joint, bone, or muscle pain.

Less serious Aclasta side effects may include:

• cough;
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• headache, dizziness, tired feeling;
• low blood pressure, swelling in your legs or feet;
• bone, joint or muscle pain; or
• redness or swelling where the needle was placed.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Aclasta is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take at least 15 minutes to complete.

Aclasta is sometimes given only once per year. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may want you to take a calcium and/or vitamin D supplement while you are being treated with Aclasta. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about the type and strength of calcium to take.

To be sure Aclasta is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Aclasta.

Before receiving Aclasta, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a diuretic (water pill);
• an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);
• other medicines that can harm your kidneys, such as pentamidine (Nebupent), tacrolimus (Prograf), amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled), acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or
• cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), thalidomide (Thalomid), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Aclasta. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.