Zoledronic Acid (Zometa®)
Common name: Zoledronic Acid
Brand name: Zometa®
What is Zoledronic Acid?
Zoledronic Acid belongs to the class of drugs known as bisphosphonates that are used to treat bone metastases that result from prostate cancer. Zoledronic Acid prevents or slows the rate of bone change (including the breakdown of the bone).
How is Zoledronic Acid administered?
Zoledronic Acid is administered by intravenous injection.
What are possible side effects of this treatment?
Everyone responds differently to treatments for bone metastases – some experience many side effects while others experience very few. Below are some side effects experienced by those who received zoledronic acid. Tell your health care team about side-effects you are experiencing so they know how best to help you manage them.
- Bone / joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea / vomiting
- Weight loss
Is Zoledronic Acid covered in my province or territory?
Zoledronic acid is covered by provincial drug programs in:
- Alberta (special authorization)
- British Columbia (palliative)
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Northwest Territories
- Yukon (covered by individual hospitals)
Zoledronic acid is not covered by provincial drug programs in:
Unknown if zoledronic acid is covered by provincial drug programs in:
Zometa Patient Assistance Program (Access Zometa)
Patient Assistance Programs are offered by pharmaceutical companies to provide medications to those who cannot afford to pay for their medicine.
Please call 1-866-281-4765 weekdays between 8am and 6pm EST for more information and to see if you qualify for this program.
Last Reviewed: July 2017