Zometa (zoledronic acid) is a brand-name IV infusion that’s prescribed to treat high calcium levels due to cancer and help prevent bone problems caused by certain types of cancer. As with other drugs, Zometa can cause side effects, such as fever and bone pain.

Zometa belongs to a drug class called bisphosphonates. The drug is available in a generic version.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Zometa. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Zometa can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Zometa in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being prescribed to treat.

More common side effects in people receiving Zometa for high calcium levels due to cancer include:

More common side effects of Zometa in people with multiple myeloma or bone metastases of solid tumors include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur during treatment with Zometa. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zometa’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported in people receiving Zometa for high calcium levels due to cancer include:

Mild side effects of Zometa that have been reported in people with multiple myeloma or bone metastases of solid tumors include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while receiving Zometa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Zometa may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zometa’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Zometa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Zometa is prescribed to treat high calcium levels due to cancer. It’s also prescribed to help prevent bone problems in people with multiple myeloma or bone metastases of solid tumors. In clinical trials, the following serious side effects were reported for these uses:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Zometa. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Zometa may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Zometa cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects are possible with Zometa. However, most of the drug’s side effects go away after you stop treatment.

Some people have reported osteonecrosis of the jaw and other bones while receiving Zometa. This condition blocks blood flow to the bone, causing bone death. It’s a permanent condition that may require surgery or extensive treatment. For more information, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

If you have questions about long-term side effects and Zometa, talk with your doctor.

How long do Zometa’s side effects typically last?

It’s unknown how long most of Zometa’s side effects typically last. In clinical trials of Zometa, it’s not clear exactly when most side effects were reported or how long they lasted. Medications can affect different people in different ways.

However, Zometa is an IV infusion drug that can cause an injection site reaction. Symptoms can include swelling or skin discoloration at the injection site. In clinical trials, these symptoms typically went away within 1 to 2 days.

If you have concerns about side effects with Zometa, talk with your doctor.

Will I experience different side effects if I receive Zometa for breast cancer?

Zometa isn’t approved to treat breast cancer. However, it may be prescribed to treat high calcium levels due to cancer. It may also be prescribed to help prevent bone problems caused by bone metastasis. (This occurs when cancer spreads to the bone from another site in the body, such as the breast.)

For more information about Zometa and breast cancer, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Zometa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Zometa.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Osteonecrosis is bone death caused by a lack of blood flow. Osteonecrosis of the jaw was not reported in clinical trials of the drug. However, it was reported after the drug was approved for use. Your risk of this side effect may be higher if you’re prescribed Zometa in combination with a corticosteroid and chemotherapy drug. Symptoms can include changes in your mouth or teeth, such as:

What you can do

Before you begin treatment with Zometa, your doctor will recommend a dental checkup. Let your doctor know if you’ve had dental problems, such as gum disease, in the past.

If you need dental surgery, your doctor will likely recommend getting it before starting Zometa. It’s important to brush your teeth and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Getting regular dental checkups can help with early diagnosis and treatment if necessary. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above during treatment with Zometa. They may recommend that you stop receiving the injections.

Decreased kidney function

Zometa can cause decreased kidney function. In clinical trials, this was not a commonly reported side effect. Symptoms can include:

What you can do

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids before each dose of Zometa. This is because staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of kidney problems from the drug. Your doctor will also check your kidney function regularly throughout Zometa treatment.

Before starting Zometa, let your doctor know if you’ve had any kidney problems in the past. They may prescribe a lower dosage of the drug for you.

After treatment starts, tell your doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms. They may run some tests to check your kidney function. If this side effect is severe, they may recommend that you stop receiving Zometa injections.

Bone pain, muscle pain, or joint pain

In Zometa’s clinical trials, bone pain was a commonly reported side effect. Muscle and joint pain were also reported in these trials.

Some people reported these side effects after one dose of the drug. However, others reported it after receiving Zometa injections for many months. Most people reported that the pain went away after stopping the drug.

What you can do

Tell your doctor right away if you experience severe bone, muscle, or joint pain while receiving Zometa injections. They’ll likely recommend that you stop Zometa treatment.

Anemia

Anemia is a low red blood cell count, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the blood. In clinical trials of Zometa, this was a commonly reported side effect. Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Your doctor will monitor your blood cell counts regularly during your Zometa treatment. If you develop any of the symptoms above while receiving Zometa, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to treat this side effect. They may also advise that you temporarily stop treatment until your red blood cell count returns to typical levels.

Nausea

Nausea was a commonly reported side effect in Zometa’s clinical trials. This side effect was typically mild. Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Tell your doctor about any nausea that feels severe or doesn’t go away over time. They may recommend ways to manage this symptom, such as:

  • eating smaller, bland meals
  • sipping cold drinks
  • avoiding oily or fried foods
  • avoiding exercise immediately after you eat

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Zometa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep receiving Zometa injections. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you receive Zometa. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Low calcium level. Zometa can cause the level of calcium in your blood to decrease. If you already have low calcium levels, this drug can make it worse. Let your doctor know if you’ve had a calcium deficiency in the past. They may recommend taking a calcium and vitamin D supplement.

Asthma and aspirin allergy. People with asthma have an increased risk of being allergic to aspirin. Zometa does not contain aspirin. However, some people with asthma have experienced bronchoconstriction (tightening of the airways) after starting treatment with a similar drug. This was not reported in clinical trials of Zometa. If you have asthma and a history of breathing problems after taking aspirin, tell your doctor. You may have a higher risk of these side effects. Your doctor can recommend ways to manage them.

Dental surgery. If you need dental surgery, schedule it before you start treatment with Zometa. This drug can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. This condition blocks blood flow to the jawbone, causing bone death. You may have an increased risk of this side effect if you have gum or teeth problems, such as gum disease. Talk with your doctor or dentist about the best treatment options for you. For more information on osteonecrosis of the jaw, see “Side effect specifics” above.

Kidney problems. Zometa is processed by your kidneys. If you have existing kidney problems, Zometa could build up in your body and increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about any kidney problems you’ve had in the past before starting Zometa. They will likely prescribe a lower dosage of Zometa and monitor your kidney function throughout treatment.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Zometa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Zometa. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol with Zometa

It’s not known whether Zometa interacts with alcohol. However, Zometa and alcohol can share certain side effects. Drinking alcohol during treatment may make some of Zometa’s side effects, such as nausea and headache, worse.

If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe to drink with Zometa.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Zometa

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should not receive Zometa injections. This drug is absorbed into the bones and released gradually into the rest of the body. This process can continue for many years.

Zometa is the brand-name version of zoledronic acid. In animal studies, zoledronic acid caused congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) and pregnancy loss. This risk may still be present after stopping treatment with Zometa. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you’re sexually active during treatment with Zometa, talk with your doctor. They can recommend safe and effective birth control options for you.

It’s not known whether Zometa is safe to receive while breastfeeding. Because the drug slowly releases into your body over many years, breastfeeding is not recommended during or after treatment with Zometa. Your doctor can recommend other ways to safely feed your baby.

Your doctor will likely not prescribe Zometa if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They can recommend different treatment options for your condition during these times.

Zometa, like other medications, can cause side effects. Most of these are mild, but some are serious and require medical attention. If you’d like to learn more about Zometa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from treatment with the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Zometa. For details about other aspects of Zometa, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To learn how Zometa compares with Xgeva, read this article.
  • A look at certain forms of cancer. For details about cancer, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.