Reclast (Zoledronic Acid)

Reclast Information:

Reclast (Zoledronic Acid) is used to treat Paget's disease. In Paget's disease, the normal cycle of new bone replacing broken-down bone is disrupted: too much bone breaks down and the replacement bone is structurally weak. Patients may experience bone pain, skeletal deformity, pathological fractures, secondary arthritis, neurological complications and deafness that can impede their ability to perform routine activities such as walking and prolonged standing. Paget's disease can be difficult to diagnose and may often be left untreated as not all patients experience noticeable symptoms. Reclast contains the same active ingredient (zoledronic acid) found in Zometa Injection. If you are already being treated with Zometa Injection, you should not receive Reclast Injection. It is important to drink fluids before getting Reclast, and to take 1500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily, especially during the first 2 weeks after getting Reclast. Patients with severe kidney problems should not receive Reclast Injection. In addition, you should not take Reclast if You should not get Reclast if: your blood calcium level is too low, you have severe kidney problems, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (becasue Reclast may harm your unborn baby). Reclast is not recommended while breast-feeding becuase it may pass through breast milk to the baby. If you are allergic to anything in Reclast (the active ingredient is zoledronic acid), or other ingredients in Reclast, you should not take this medication. To prevent low blood calcium, it is important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements (for example, tablets) as directed by your doctor. After getting Reclast all patients with Paget’s disease should take 1500 mg of calcium a day in divided doses (for example, 750 mg two times a day, or 500 mg three times a day) and 800 IU vitamin D a day to keep blood calcium at a healthy level. It is especially important to take the calcium and Vitamin D supplements during the first 2 weeks after getting Reclast. On the day of treatment, one should eat and drink normally, which includes drinking at least 2 glasses of fluid (such as water), as directed by your doctor before receiving Reclast. Reclast is given intravenously (in your vein) by a nurse or doctor. It takes at least 15 minutes to get your medicine. Because Reclast works for a long time, you may not need another dose of Reclast for a year or longer.

"Zoledronic Acid is a generic drug used to treat Paget's Disease. It is manufactured by licensed generic manufacturers. This product DOES NOT originate from Novartis and IS NOT authorized by Novartis, the owner and maker of the branded Reclast prescription pharmaceutical product."

Reclast Side Effects:

Reclast can cause side effects such as low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), thus it is important to be taking calcium and vitamin D supplements along with this. It is recommended that the doctor do a blood test to check kidney function before each dose of Reclast because it may cause some kidney problems. You may also experience an infection or delayed healing after teeth are pulled, severe muscle, bone, and joint pain. Some of the more common side effects caused by Reclast include flu, fever, pain in muscles or joints, and headaches. The chances of having these side effects decreases with repeat dosing of reclast.