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Aclasta

Generic name: zoledronic acid [zole-dro-nik-as-sid] Brand names: aclasta, Zometa, and reclast
drug class: bisphosphonates

What is Aclasta?

Aclasta contains zoledronic acid (sometimes called zoledronate). It is part of a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Zoledronic acid blocks the release of calcium from bones.

Aclasta can be used to treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease in postmenopausal females.

Aclasta is also used to treat other conditions not covered in the medication guide.

Warnings

Don't take aclasta without notifying your doctor if you've had any reaction that was allergic to zoledronic acid or a similar medicine such as alendronate (fosamax), etidronate (didronel), ibandronate (boniva), pamidronate (aredia), risedronate (actonel), or the drug tiludronate (skelid). Avoid using aclasta without discussing it with your physician when you're pregnant. The drug could be harmful to unborn babies. Choose a reliable method of birth control and consult your doctor in the event that you fall pregnant during the course of treatment.

A doctor may suggest having a dental check-up to determine the need for regular gum and tooth health prior to starting the treatment process with aclasta. It is particularly important when you are suffering from cancer, have chemotherapy treatment or steroids, or are suffering from poor dental health.

A few people taking medicines that are similar to aclasta suffer from osteoporosis in the jaw, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. The signs of this disorder could be jaw pain as well as swelling, numbness, gum inflammation, loose teeth, and slow healing following an injury or surgical procedure that affects the gums. There is a higher risk of suffering from osteonecrosis in the jaw when you have been diagnosed with cancer or treated with radiation, chemotherapy, or steroids. Other diseases that can cause osteonecrosis that affect the jaw include blood bleeding disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and existing dental issues.

Avoid doing any dental procedures while being treated for aclasta. There may be a longer time than you would normally need to fully recover.

Before You Take This Drug

There is no reason to receive aclasta when you have an allergic reaction to zoledronic acids or other similar medications like alendronate (fosamax), etidronate (didronel), ibandronate (boniva), pamididronate (aredia), or risedronate (actonel), as well as the drug tiludronate (skelid).

It is also recommended to avoid aclasta if you are:

  • The calcium levels are low in your blood.

  • Impaired kidney function 

  • If you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Zometa and reclast are two kinds of zoledronic acids. If you are already taking zometa, it is not recommended that you use reclast. Prior to receiving the reclast injection, notify your physician if you're already receiving zometa.

Prior to receiving aclasta, inform your physician that you are suffering from

  • Aspirin-sensitive asthma;

  • A thyroid or parathyroid condition;

  • Malabsorption syndrome (an inability to ingest nutrition and foods correctly);

  • A history of surgery to remove an area of your intestine

  • Bone cancer,

  • Kidney disease.

A doctor may suggest that you have a dental check-up to ensure that you are getting preventive dental and gum health care prior to starting the treatment process with aclasta. It is particularly important in the case of patients who have cancer, are receiving chemotherapy or steroids, or are suffering from poor dental health.

Certain people who take medicines like aclasta suffer from osteoporosis in the jaw, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. The signs of this disorder could be jaw pain and swelling, numbness or gum infections, loose teeth, or slow healing following injuries or surgeries that affect the gums.

It is possible to suffer from osteonecrosis in the jaw when you suffer from cancer or have been treated by radiation, chemotherapy, or steroids. Other ailments that are associated with osteonecrosis that affects the jaw include blood problems with clotting and anaemia (low red blood cells), the need for dental surgery, or other dental issues.

The fda classifies pregnancy as d. The medication could affect the unborn child. Avoid taking aclasta without confirming with your doctor whether you're pregnant. Utilise a safe method of birth control. Also, consult your physician in the event that you fall pregnant during the treatment. Aclasta may be absorbed into breast milk and cause harm to the nursing infant. Don't take aclasta without consulting your physician, whether you're breastfeeding or not.

How to Take Aclasta?

Aclasta can be administered by injection using a needle that is inserted in the vein. It is administered at a hospital or clinic location. The medication must be administered slowly via an iv infusion; it will take at most 15 minutes for the entire process.

Aclasta can be given every year. Always follow your physician's recommendations.

Take at least two glasses of water just a couple of hours prior to the injection in order to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Your physician may ask you to take a calcium or vitamin d supplement when you're being treated for aclasta. Follow your physician's recommendations regarding the strength and type of calcium you should consume.

To ensure that aclasta can help your health without causing unwanted side effects, your blood may require testing regularly. The function of your kidneys may require testing. It's important not to skip any appointments with your physician.

What Happens if I Miss a Dose?

See your doctor if you are missing a dose of aclasta.

What Happens if I Overdose?

Contact emergency medical assistance. If you suspect you've taken more than aclasta, in the event of an overdose, symptoms could include numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet and hands, as well as muscle stiffness. You may also experience muscle spasms on your face, irregular heartbeats, wheezing, or breathing problems.

What Should be Avoided?

Avoid doing any dental procedures while receiving treatment with aclasta. The time frame may be longer than you would normally need to heal.

Side effects of Aclasta

Contact a medical professional immediately. If you experience any of these symptoms, they are warning signs of an allergic reaction. Asthmatic hives; breathing difficulty; and swelling of the tongue, face, lips, or throat. Get your doctor's attention immediately when you notice one of the following serious reactions:

Mild effects

  • The frequency of urination is lower than the norm, or even not at all.

  • Muscle spasms that cause a numb or tingly feeling (especially in the mouth);

  • Chills, fever, body aches, fever signs;

  • Light skin, easy bleeding, uncommon weakness, pale skin

  • Painful joint, bone, or muscular painful joint, bone, or muscle.

 Adverse side effects

  • Cough

  • Nausea, loss of appetite; vomiting, loss of appetite

  • Diarrhea, constipation

  • Dizziness, headaches, and fatigue feel

  • Lower blood pressure or swelling of your feet or legs

  • Muscle, joint, or bone discomfort

  • There is redness or swelling in the area at the site where the needle was inserted

This isn't an exhaustive listing of all side effects, and there are other possible side effects. Inform your physician about any concerns or unusual effects.

Interaction with other drugs

Prior to receiving aclasta, be sure to inform your physician if you're taking any of these drugs:

  • A diuretic (water pill)

  • An antibiotic, for instance amikacin (amikin) or an antibiotic such as amikacin (amikin) garamycin, kanamycin (kantrex), neomycin (mycifradin neo-fradin, neo'tab, neo-fradin), netilmicin (netromycin), and streptomycin tobramycin (nebcin, tobi);

  • Other medicines can affect your kidneys. For instance, pentamidine (nebupent), tarolimus (prograf), amphotericin b (fungizone, ambisome, amphotec, abelcet), capreomycin (capastat), rifampin (rifadin, rimactane, rifater), vancomycin (vancocin vancoled), acyclovir (zovirax), adefovir (hepsera), cidofovir (vistide), and foscarnet (foscavir), as

  • Chemotherapy drugs like aldesleukin (proleukin) and carmustine (bicnu, gliadel), cisplatin (platinol), ifosfamide (ifex), oxaliplatin (eloxatin), plicamycin (mithracin), streptozocin (zanosar), thalidomide (thalomid), or tretinoin (vesanoid).