Lisa;
I got the following off of a Gov't of Canada website so it appears it is available in Canada. I wonder if others have had side effects from it? I too have heard great things about this drug and want to talk to my onc about using it prophylactically. Cathy
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medef...hpc-cps_e.html
August 9, 2005
Subject: Updated Renal Safety Information on Zometa* (zoledronic acid) and Aclasta* (zoledronic acid)
Following discussions with Health Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. would like to inform you of changes made to the Zometa* (zoledronic acid 4 mg for intravenous infusion) prescribing information. We would also like to inform you about the new Product Monograph of Aclasta* (zoledronic acid - 5 mg single-dose intravenous infusion).
ZOMETA* (zoledronic acid)
Zometa* is used to treat the following conditions: a) bone metastases (i.e. cancer that has spread from the tumor to the bone) due to different types of tumors, b) multiple myeloma, and c) tumor-induced hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels caused by tumors).
The changes to the Zometa* Product Monograph are being made to minimize the possible risk of deterioration in kidney function during treatment with Zometa*. The changes affect patients with advanced cancer with mild to moderate impairment in kidney function or patients with high blood calcium levels caused by tumors (tumor-induced hypercalcemia) requiring retreatment.
Worsening of kidney function, which may progress to kidney failure, has been reported with Zometa* and is also known to occur with other drugs of the bisphosphonate class. Therefore, your doctor will measure your kidney function before each dose of Zometa*.
The use of Zometa* is not recommended in patients with severe impairment in kidney function. Also, single doses of Zometa* (zoledronic acid) should not exceed 4 mg and the duration of the infusion should be no less than 15 minutes.
Specific changes that will affect your treatment with Zometa* depending on the condition for which Zometa* has been prescribed are as follows:
Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors and Multiple Myeloma
Your doctor will measure your kidney function before you start treatment with Zometa* and if the results of your blood tests show that you have mild to moderate impairment in kidney function, your doctor will reduce the dose of Zometa* depending on the severity of your kidney problem. You doctor will continue to monitor your kidney function prior to each of the subsequent doses of Zometa*. If these tests indicate worsening of kidney function, your doctor will withhold further treatment with Zometa* until these tests return to normal.
Tumor-Induced Hypercalcemia
Patients who show complete or partial response initially may be retreated with Zometa* 4 mg if blood calcium levels do not return to normal or do not remain normal after initial treatment. The use of the 8 mg dose of Zometa* for the retreatment of tumor-induced hypercalcemia is no longer recommended.