What Is Reclast?
Reclast is a brand name of a medication, Zoledronic Acid. This is a commonly used medication for treating Osteoporotic conditions.
Another common brand of Zoledronic acid available in the market is Zometa.
This medication is usually a 15 to 20 minute slow infusion, given intravenous, once a year to slow down bone loss and aid building up of new bone.
Medical Conditions That Are Treated By Zoledronic Acid
The medication is used to treat Osteoporotic conditions, usually in populations above 50 years of age.
- Osteoporosis detected on routine check up after Menopause
- Cases of gonadal failure, leading to weaker bones
- After long term steroid therapy
- Post radiotherapy
- Post chemotherapy patients
- Paget’s Disease
It may be used in men or women, both. Though the use has been seen more commonly in women.
In any of the above mentioned medical conditions, the patient is asked to go through a number of investigators and blood work, including a Bone Scan. If the scan shows osteoporotic bones, Zoledronic acid use may be indicated.
The dosage is decided on the basis of level of osteoporosis, patients age and his overall medical condition. An assessment is made to assure if he would be able to tolerate the medication or not.
Usually, once annually I.V. infusion of the drug is prescribed.
Contradictions To The Use
- Pregnancy is a contraindication for drug use. This pill may damage an unborn baby.
- Compromised kidney status, due to any illness or kidney condition
- Previously seen allergy to zoledronic acid
- Dehydration
- Any illness that may lead to dehydration
- Being on diuretics
- Having swollen ankles, knees
- Having very low levels of calcium in the body
In all these cases, you’ll need to be assessed before receiving the drug infusion.
The drug may not be used if you’re using any other form of treatment for osteoporosis, like oral bisphosphonates.
Reclast Treatment Side Effects
Kidney damage, much accentuated by dehydration or diuretic usebcan be a serious side effect of drug infusion. To prevent this kidney status may be assessed before delivering the drug.
Jaw necrosis may be rarely seen. Here, bone loss or osteonecrosis may be seen in the jaw bone. The patient may notice loosening of teeth, swollen gums or pain in jaw. Chances of seeing this condition is more if you’ve recently received any chemotherapy or radiotherapy post cancer surgery.
Drug Delivery
The drug is delivered by a slow Intravenous infusion, given through any vein of the body. The infusion is given slow enough, over 15 to 20 minutes usually, to avoid any irritation at the injection site and assure better assimilation of the drug.
The patient should preferably be well rested, well hydrated and be carrying sufficient calcium levels in her body.
Side Effects After Injection
It’s very common for the patient to feel tired and experience some headache after receiving the injection. The next few days may see mild fever and flu like symptoms.
Sudden use up of calcium may give you localized spasms, tingling or numbness in one or more limbs. These are temporary symptoms and disappear as the calcium levels stabilize themselves.
Nausea or vomiting may occur in few. Stomach upsets, diarrhea or constipation is not uncommon.
All you need after the therapy is rest and easily digestible diet for 2 to 3 days till you feel better.
In case you see any alarming sign or symptom, call back your doctor immediately. These may include sudden breathlessness, unusual pain in hip or thigh, no or very little urination, severe pain in any joint or any severe spasm.
Can Paracetamol Be Taken After Receiving This Pill
Paracetamol or Crocin may be taken after you receive this pill. This may prevent headaches and ease up your initial flu like symptoms.
No adverse drug interaction has been seen between these two drugs.
