Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common ones are usually mild and will probably disappear after a short time.
Tell your doctor about any of the following side effects straight away:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Severe kidney impairment (will normally be determined by your doctor with certain specific blood tests).
- Low level of calcium in the blood.
issue date: 14‐05‐12 | Document: M1.3.1_03.ZLE.mhy.vial.001.05.core.WD | Author: PL |
Common Technical Document | CBG‐MEB |
Zoledronic acid (as monohydrate) 4 mg/ 5 ml | |
concentrate for solution for infusion | |
Module 1 ‐Section 3.5 Core SPC, Labelling | page 6/11 |
and Package Leaflet | |
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Pain in the mouth, teeth and/or jaw, swelling or sores inside the mouth, numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, or loosening of a tooth. These could be signs of bone damage in the jaw (osteonecrosis). Tell your doctor and dentist immediately if you experience such symptoms.
- Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) has been seen in patients receiving zoledronic acid for postmenopausal osteoporosis. It is currently unclear whether zoledronic acid causes this irregular heart rhythm but you should report it to your doctor if you experience such symptoms after you have received zoledronic acid.
- Severe allergic reaction: shortness of breath, swelling mainly of the face and throat.
Tell your doctor about any of the following side effects as soon as possible:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Low level of phosphate in the blood
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Headache and a flu‐like syndrome consisting of fever, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, chills and bone, joint and/or muscle ache. In most cases no specific treatment is required and the symptoms disappear after a short time (couple of hours or days) • Gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting as well as loss of appetite • Conjunctivitis • Low level of red blood cells (anaemia)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Low counts of white blood cells and blood platelets • Hypersensitivity reactions • Anxiety, sleep disturbances • Dizziness, tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, taste disturbance, increased or decreased sensitivity to stimulation, tremor, somnolence • Tearing of the eye, eye sensitivity to light • High blood pressure, low blood pressure, sudden coldness with fainting, limpness or collapse • Difficulty breathing, cough • Diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, inflammation of the mouth, dry mouth • Itching, rash, increased sweating • Muscle
issue date: 14‐05‐12 | Document: M1.3.1_03.ZLE.mhy.vial.001.05.core.WD | Author: PL |
Common Technical Document | CBG‐MEB |
Zoledronic acid (as monohydrate) 4 mg/ 5 ml | |
concentrate for solution for infusion | |
Module 1 ‐Section 3.5 Core SPC, Labelling | page 7/11 |
and Package Leaflet | |
cramps • Kidney failure, blood in the urine, proteins in the urine • Feeling of weakness, swelling of the ankles, feet or fingers, skin reactions (redness and swelling) at the infusion site, chest pain , weight increase, hives • Low level of magnesium and potassium in the blood. Your doctor will monitor this and take any necessary measures.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Slow heart beat • Confusion • Unusual fracture of the thigh bone particularly in patients on long‐term treatment for osteoporosis may occur rarely. Contact your doctor if you experience pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin as this may be an early indication of a possible fracture of the thigh bone • Severe reduction in blood cells which can cause weakness, bruising or make infections more likely • Serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face or throat • High levels of blood potassium which can cause abnormal heart rhythm, high levels of blood sodium which can cause confusion, muscle twitching or abnormal heart rhythm.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Painful redness and/or swelling of the eye.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet.