Zometa

Brand name: Zometa

Chemical name: Zoledronic acid

Class: Bisphosphonate. Aredia is another bisphosphonate.

How it works: Bisphosphonates limit the activity of certain bone cells, called osteoclasts, which help cause the bone weakening and destruction that can happen when breast cancer spreads to the bone. Bisphosphonates also can help keep blood calcium levels normal -- important because destruction of bone may increase blood calcium.

Uses: Zometa typically is used to reduce bone complications and bone pain caused by advanced-stage breast cancer that has spread to the bone. It's usually given with other chemotherapy medicines.

How it's given: Zometa is given intravenously.

Side effects:

• bone pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• fatigue
• constipation
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• teary eyes
• heartburn
• mouth sores
• depression
• vaginal discharge
• hand-foot syndrome
• hair changes
• osteonecrosis of the jaw (loss of bone in the jaw)

Recent Research News on Zometa

Denosumab Slightly Better Than Zometa at Easing Bone Pain, Complications of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Zometa Before Surgery Doesn’t Seem to Have Benefits

Zometa Seems to Improve Response to Chemotherapy