Reclast Research Info (aka Zoledronic Acid-Novartis)

windblown
5 Recommendations

Since so many of you have been asking about the Reclast, and Zometa infusions, I thought I would post the New England Journal of Medicine's article on Zoledronic Acid (Reclast), the once yearly infusion for post menopausal osteoporotic patients.

The article is pretty straight forward and should be easy to read. I hope this helps many in answering your questions on side effects, benefits, etc.

This drug has been on the market for 5 years but primarily used for bone cancer patients, those with hypercalcemia and Paget's disease.

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/18/1809

Brand Names of this drug:

  • Zometa
  • Reclast
  • Aclasta
  • Zometa Concentrate

25 replies

MotherGoose

Thank-you, Windblown, for this straightforward, scientific article about this study. It should influence the naysayers.
Lucy Buckleey PT aka Mother Goose

windblown

Thanks Lucy... I hope you're right about the hesitant ones. I think one of the problems is that we tend to read the most negative reviews we can find on treatments and then you add innuendo to that and it's hard to undo all that. Hopefully this will answer a lot of questions on Reclast, and Zometa. Have a Happy 4th!!

pgreene

bumping up.

windblown

Hi pgreen: Thanks for the bump :)

Dot1

I had my Reclast infusion in March, I have been so glad that I did this, I did not have any visible side effects from this, I plan on having my 2nd one next year. Hope my input helps, as I was uncertain whether to do this or not. Dot1

pgreene

bumping up

windblown

Hi Dot1: I'm very happy you haven't had any negative reactions to this medication. With that said, there are a few who may experience some side effects that are unmanageable like any medication out there. For the most part, I think those who have tried this have a favorable reaction and it's still a good alternative to the oral med which some can't tolerate due to GI issues and esophageal problems.

Best of luck to you!!!

sharo

I'm glad that there are positive feelings about this....Had mine in March and am so glad I don't have to take oral meds for osteo (other than calcium and Vit D)

windblown

Hi Sharo: I hope the infusion works fantastically for you!!! Remember that the negative press gets much more coverage than the positive, even though the positive results out numbers the rest. For some reason we retain negative info longer and I don't really understand why. I hope you had a chance to read the above link, because it should give you a good idea on the results this drug has had. I'm not saying there aren't any negative side effects because all drugs have them, but the numbers of patients this drug has helped far outweighs the number that it hasn't. There's also a group of patients who have GI or esophageal problems who can't take the oral meds, so this infusion is good for them since it doesn't go through the intestinal tract.

Good luck with it, and keep us posted on how you do.

~windblown~

Franceline

For the moment, all this info is rather confusing; how much I can do with it when I next see my new doctor - second opinion - has to be seen. However, all your interesting info makes me a little suspicious as to the real effects of some of these medications. But I am grateful that through all your inputs I at least have an idea what to expect and what not. Once again, as I said in one of my earlier emails, the decision is finally totally up to the patient who is the "non" expert; will report after my appointment if there is anything interesting.

windblown

Hi Franceline: I hope you were able to ascertain the "real effects" from the New England Journal of Med article. It does give the stats on both positive and negative results of taking Reclast. If you are referring to the incidence of contracting Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, I believe it mentions that as well in the study. There are some people who contract this, but the numbers are low even if you look at Mercks-Fosamax info. It's true that the iv bisphosphonates are more likely to cause ONJ, but it's still a small fraction of people who get this. I know these decisions are hard, since we all have to make them, but give yourself some credit because I believe you will make the best decision for you. :)

When I started Forteo, I had to weigh the risk/benefit ratio for myself, and only I could do that, which luckily my Dr understands. I have the type of Dr.'s that leave *all* decisions up to me but they will give me their opinion, which includes a written list of the negative and positive side effects; but in the end the decision is mine, so I know what you are facing. This may sound sophomoric, but there are positive side effects as well as negative, and sometimes (not you) people forget that and only think about the long list of negative side effects. When the drug co.'s list these, they have to include every possibility of effect, so the odds of getting even 1 or 2 of those are small but *not* unheard of. It might help you to make a list of the pros and cons of whatever med you are thinking about and see what you come up with and which column is longer. If you have taken oral bisphosphonates, then you know some of the side effects, and that the iv form doesn't cause the GI/esophageal effects because it doesn't go through the gastro intestinal tract.

Good luck I hope you make a good decision what ever it is.

ANNA47

MY MOM HAD HER RECLAST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND YESTERDAY MORNING HAD A STROKE. THEY CAN FIND NO REASONS AS YET (CLOTS ECT). SHE HAS COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES ON AND OFF AS SOMEONE ELSE MENTIONED AND THE STROKE AFFECTED HER LEFT SIDE AND TOGUE. SOME ONE HAD MENTIONED THE LT TOGUE THING ALSO. HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANYONE ELSE SUFFERING A STROKE ASSOCIATED WITH RECLAST.

windblown

Hi Anna47: I'm so sorry to hear about your mother! This must be really difficult for her and for you.

No I haven't heard of anyone having a stroke from Reclast. Unfortunately people have strokes and I don't know if we ever find out what causes some of them. Usually it's from a blood clot, but not always. Has she had any trouble with that, or is she confined to a bed or chair? Inactivity can cause some clots, I know since I've been checked for them several times after back surgery, but I was lucky I didn't have one. Lack of exercise can cause some of these problems.

I hope your mom gets the medical help that she needs. According to the NEJM article, the number of strokes in the placebo group was almost the same as the Reclast group, so it's hard to say if that would have anything to do with it. If you need to reference this, look at the adverse events in the above link for both the Reclast and placebo group.

Good luck, you are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Floridagal

Hi Anna,

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I have been doing massive research on reclast and I am not a Dr. but I haven't read anything about stroke. Just wanted you to know that your both in my prayers. Keep us posted as to how she is doing.

ANNA47

Thanks guys, Mom is home and it did not effect her legs at all witch is great because she swims and walks daily. She has been dealing with Ca for the last 5 years and because of all the abdomenal surgery could not take the oral drugs. She had been cleared by her Cancer MD a few months ago and decided if she was going to be around for awhile longer she should address the osteo, that has been a family issue.
Also I'm and x-ray technician and work in womens health. I work for an OB/GYN doing sono's and also do all the Dexa scans for a private practice. I would be glad to answer any ? you may have. Anna

ANNA47

Thanks for the article it did jog somthing that they mentioned at both hospitals my mom was at that day. They wanted to know how long she had had heart problems because her cardiac enzymes were off. We told them that she had never had nor any family hx of heart problems. At one point a Dr mentioned that a heart attack may have caused the stroke. A cause of the stroke was never confirmed.

KathyG

Thank You Windblown for this information. I found out that I have Paget's Disease of the Bone and it is in my right hip. My doctor said she was going to give me this treatment a little later. I go back in November. I have been scared to death with all the negative info I have been getting. This clears things up alot. I know you can have side effects from any med and I will not know until I have the drug. Anyone taking this drug please let me know what side effects you have had and how are you doing? Any improvements?

windblown

Hi Anna: I'm glad your moms legs, weren't affected, that must be a tremendous thing to hear. My sister in laws mom had a stroke, and she is paralyzed in both legs and arms. She basically is stuck in a body that can't move. I know they never figured out how her's occured, since she was in really good health with no heart probs. They have to have full time help, because my sister won't put her in a nursing home. It's a tremendous amount of work, but at least she is at home.

I hope your mom can get some good PT, which should help her to accomodate with her limitations. Being able to still walk will be such a tremendous help for her and you.

Later on I would like to ask you some questions about dxa's and ultrasounds, but I would imagine you have your hands full right now. Take care of your mom and yourself, you don't want to get too over tired.

Good luck...

windblown

Hi Kathy: Good luck with the infusion. I'm glad the paper helped to explain how it works, plus it's side effects etc. It would be nice if there were things that didn't cause any side effects, for anyone, but everything does have some unfortunately. Let's not forget the positive side effects as well as the negative. I wonder how many side effects water has, has anyone ever figure this out?

Since you've read the NEJM article on this drug, then you know that they have been using this med for Paget's longer than for Osteoporosis. You may want to check the stats on this drug for the treatment of Paget's.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

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