Once a year iv infusion for osteoporosis

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Talk to your doctor about your medication, its side effects and any risks. You can read the information on this page and in your patient information leaflet, so you know what to expect.

You can ask your doctor for a copy of the patient information leaflet.

Our specialist nurse Helpline is here for you, if you have any questions or concerns.

Getting your infusion

It’s important that you have adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D when you’re taking zoledronate. Your doctor will do a blood test before the infusion, to check your levels.

If you’re not getting enough calcium from your diet or enough vitamin D from sunlight, you can consider supplements.

Before and after the infusion, make sure you drink one or two glasses of water, to prevent dehydration.

How long to take it

Zoledronate is generally used for at least three years, so you need to be happy it is the right option for you.

Your treatment should be formally reviewed by your doctor after three years. This is to check that the benefits from taking zoledronate still outweigh any risks.

Possible side effects

Known side effects include:

• flu-like symptoms
• bone, joint or muscle pain
• a fast and irregular heartbeat
• inflammation in the eye, eye pain or disturbed vision.

You're unlikely to get any side effects. But if you do, they shouldn't last for long.

As research progresses, the list of known side effects may change. You can find more information on each side effect and how to reduce the symptoms on the zoledronic acid factsheet.

You may have seen other symptoms and side effects in your patient information leaflet. These side effects are listed because they were reported by patients in research trials, but it’s unclear if they were directly caused by zoledronic acid. They were also reported by patients taking the placebo (dummy treatment).

If you experience side effects

It's perfectly natural to be concerned by side effects although, in most cases, they do pass.

The best thing to do is speak to your doctor or pharmacist. They can assess if there's a better treatment for you. They can also help you work out whether zoledronic acid is causing the symptoms, or if something else is the cause, such as another medication.

Other possible health risks

There are some more serious but very rare health conditions associated with zoledronate:

If you are prescribed zoledronate, your doctor has decided the benefit of taking the treatment outweighs any risks.

It's perfectly natural to feel concerned and unsure, but be reassured that your risk of these is very small. Our specialist nurses are here for you, if you need to talk through your concerns and find out more about your risk.

Living with a chronic health condition affects so many areas of your life — the chronic pain can be debilitating, your new fragility makes it difficult to do your usual activities, and the reality of all of it can be emotionally draining. Such can be the case with a condition like osteoporosis. And, while there are oral medications to help increase bone density, some people haven’t experienced the expected relief.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become brittle and weak — to the point that even a mild bump or even coughing may cause them to break. Most of the fractures occur on the hip, spine, or wrists. Many of the hip injuries occur in older patients who’ve experienced a fall. This makes the recovery process slow and lengthy, and can often result in permanent disability. When the fractures occur in the spine, you may experience a hunched posture, loss of height, and chronic back pain. In addition, certain underlying medical conditions — such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease — may increase bone breakdown.

Infusion Therapy for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is treated with bisphosphonates — medications that are specifically designed to slow down bone loss as well as improve bone mass. There are two infusion bisphosphonates that have been approved by the FDA to treat osteoporosis:

• BONIVA (ibandronate)
• Reclast (zoledronic acid)

They are both excellent alternatives for patients who have failed to receive relief from oral medications, as well as patients for whom an underlying medical condition makes it difficult to swallow a pill. In addition, as opposed to tablets, infusion therapy won’t cause an upset stomach — which is a common side effect from oral medications used to treat osteoporosis. Another benefit of infusion therapy is that treatment could be scheduled quarterly (with Boniva) or yearly (with Reclast), instead of having to remember to take weekly pills.

Side Effects of Infusion Therapy for Osteoporosis

As with any prescription medication, infusion therapy for osteoporosis may carry a risk of side effects — mostly similar to those of the flu, such as feeling tired, muscle aches, fever, chills, and diarrhea. Additional risks may include headaches, urinary tract infection, joint pain, infection at the site where the IV is inserted, as well as the IV becoming dislodged from your arm. The best way to lower the likelihood of these risks is to have an experienced healthcare professional monitor the infusion — which is always the practice at Infusion Associates.

Do keep in mind that it’s possible for side effects to manifest up to three days after the infusion treatment. If this is the case, tell your doctor as soon as possible — especially if you experience the more serious side effects, such as dizziness, confusion, chest tightness, or breathing difficulties.

What to Expect from Infusion Therapy for Osteoporosis

When you first visit one of our facilities, you will meet with one of our healthcare professionals to discuss your medication,  the duration of each infusion treatment, and the side effects. You’ll also have this chance to address all your questions and concerns. You’ll immediately notice that at Infusion Associates, we make it a priority to ensure all of our visitors feel as welcomed and comfortable as possible. This means you’ll find cozy reclining chairs, blankets,  television, Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages of choice.

If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy, Let Infusion Associates Help You

At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist on staff to make the process as seamless as possible.

If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.

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