Zolendronic Acid Synthon 5 Mg/100 Ml Solution For Infusion
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Zoledronic acid 5mg/100 ml solution for Infusion
Zoledronic acid
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you are given this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Zoledronic acid is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you are given Zoledronic acid
3. How Zoledronic acid is given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Zoledronic acid
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1 What Zoledronic acid is and what it is used for
Zoledronic acid contains the active substance zoledronic acid. Zoledronic acid belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates and is used to treat post-menopausal women and men with osteoporosis or osteoporosis caused by treatment with steroids, and Paget’s disease of the bone.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that involves the thinning and weakening of the bones and is common in women after the menopause, but can also occur in men. At the menopause, a woman’s ovaries stop producing the female hormone oestrogen, which helps keep bones healthy. Following the menopause bone loss occurs, bones become weaker and break more easily. Osteoporosis could also occur in men and women because of the long term use of steroids, which can affect the strength of bones. Many patients with osteoporosis have no symptoms but they are still at risk of breaking bones because osteoporosis has made their bones weaker. Decreased circulating levels of sex hormones, mainly oestrogens converted from androgens, also
play a role in the more gradual bone loss observed in men. In both women and men, Zoledronic acid strengthens the bone and therefore makes it less likely to break. Zoledronic acid is also used in patients who have recently broken their hip in a minor trauma such as a fall and therefore are at risk of subsequent bone breaks.
Paget’s disease of the bone
It is normal that old bone is removed and is replaced with new bone material. This process is called remodelling. In Paget’s disease, bone remodelling is too rapid and new bone is formed in a disordered fashion, which makes it weaker than normal. If the disease is not treated, bones may become deformed and painful, and may break. Zoledronic acid works by returning the bone remodelling process to normal, securing formation of normal bone, thus restoring strength to the bone.
2. What you need to know before you are given Zoledronic acid
Follow all instructions given to you by your doctor carefully before you are given Zoledronic acid.
You should not be given Zoledronic acid
- if you are allergic to zoledronic acid, other bisphosphonates or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have hypocalcaemia (this means that the levels of calcium in your blood are too low).
- If you have severe kidney problems.
- if you are pregnant.
- if you are breast-feeding.
Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor before you are given Zoledronic acid:
- if you are being treated with Zoledronic acid 4 mg/5 ml concentrate for solution for infusion, which contains the same active substance as Zoledronic acid
- if you have a kidney problem, or used to have one.
- if you are unable to take daily calcium supplements.
- if you have had some or all of the parathyroid glands in your neck
surgically removed.
- if you have had sections of your intestine removed.
Before you receive treatment with Zoledronic acid, tell your doctor if you have (or have had) pain, swelling or numbness in your gums, jaw or both, if
your jaw feels heavy, or if you have lost a tooth. Before you receive dental treatment or undergo dental surgery, tell your dentist you are receiving treatment with Zoledronic acid.
Children and adolescents
Zoledronic acid is not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age. The use of Zoledronic acid in children and adolescents has not been studied.
Other medicines and Zoledronic acid
Please tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.
It is especially important for your doctor to know all the medicines you are taking, especially if you are taking any medicines known to be harmful to your kidneys (e.g. aminoglycosides) or diuretics (“water pills”) that may cause dehydration.
Zoledronic acid with food and drink
Make sure you drink enough fluids (at least one or two glasses) before and after the treatment with Zoledronic acid, as directed by your doctor. This will help to prevent dehydration. You may eat normally on the day you are treated with Zoledronic acid. This is especially important in patients who take diuretics (“water pills”) and in elderly patients.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
There is no adequate information on the use of zoledronic acid in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicological effects. Additionally, there is no information on the use of Zoledronic acid in breastfeeding women. You must not be given Zoledronic acid if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You must not be given Zoledronic acid if you are breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice before taking any medicine. Driving and using machines
If you feel dizzy while taking Zoledronic acid, do not drive or use machines until you feel better.
Zoledronic acid contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per bag (100 ml), i.e. essentially “sodium-free”.
3. How Zoledronic acid is given
Follow carefully all instructions given to you by your doctor or nurse. You should check with your doctor or nurse if you are not sure.
Your doctor should do a blood test to check your kidney functions (levels of creatinine) before each dose of Zoledronic acid. It is important for you to drink at least one or two glasses of fluid (such as water), within a few hours before receiving Zoledronic acid, as directed by your doctor.
Osteoporosis
The usual dose is 5 mg given as one infusion per year into a vein by your doctor or nurse. The infusion will take at least 15 minutes.
In case you recently broke your hip, it is recommended that zoledronic acid is administered two or more weeks after your hip repair surgery.
It is important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements (for example tablets) as directed by your doctor.
For osteoporosis, zoledronic acid works for one year. Your doctor will let you know when to return for your next dose.
Paget’s disease
The usual dose is 5 mg, given to you as one single infusion into a vein by your doctor or nurse. The infusion will take at least 15 minutes. Zoledronic acid may work for longer than one year, and your doctor will let you know if you need to be treated again.
Your doctor may advise you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements (e.g. tablets) for at least the first ten days after being given Zoledronic acid. It is important that you follow this advice carefully so that the level of calcium in your blood does not become too low in the period after the infusion. Your doctor will inform you regarding the symptoms associated with hypocalcaemia.
If a dose of Zoledronic acid is missed
Contact your doctor or hospital as soon as possible to re-schedule your appointment.
Before stopping Zoledronic acid therapy
If you are considering stopping Zoledronic acid treatment, please go to your next appointment and discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor will advise you and decide how long you should be treated with Zoledronic acid.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In most cases, no specific treatment is required.
Side effects related to the first infusion are very common (occurring in more than 30% of patients) but are less common following subsequent infusions. The majority of the side effects, such as: fever and chills, pain in the muscles or joints and headache, occur within the first three days following the dose of Zoledronic acid. The symptoms are usually mild to moderate and go away within three days. Your doctor can recommend a mild pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce these side effects. The chance of experiencing these side effects decreases with subsequent doses of Zoledronic acid.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Fever
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Headache • Dizziness • Sickness • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Pain in the muscles • Pain in the bones and/or joints • Pain in the back, arms or legs • Flu-like symptoms (e.g. tiredness, chills, joint and muscle pain) • Chills • Feeling of tiredness and lack of interest • Weakness • Pain • Feeling unwell • Skin reactions such as redness • Swelling and/or pain at the infusion site.
In patients with Paget’s disease: symptoms due to low blood calcium, such as muscle spasms, or numbness, or a tingling sensation especially in the area around the mouth.
Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) has been seen in patients receiving zoledronic acid for post-menopausal 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.
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Flu • Upper respiratory tract infections • Decreased red cell count • Loss of appetite • Sleeplessness • Sleepiness which may include reduced alertness and awareness • Tingling sensation or numbness • Extreme tiredness • Trembling • Temporary loss of consciousness • Eye infection or irritation or inflammation with pain and redness • Eye sensitivity to light • Spinning sensation • Increased blood pressure • Flushing • Cough • Shortness of breath • Upset stomach • Abdominal pain • Constipation • Dry mouth • Heartburn • Skin rash • Excessive sweating • Itching • Skin reddening • Neck pain • Stiffness in muscles, bones and/or joints • Joint swelling • Muscle spasms • Shoulder pain • Pain in your chest muscles and rib cage • Joint inflammation • Muscular weakness • Abnormal kidney test results • Abnormal frequent urination • Swelling of hands, ankles or feet • Thirst • Toothache • Taste disturbances.
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Severe allergic reactions including dizziness and difficulty breathing • Swelling mainly of the face and throat • Decreased blood pressure • Pain in the mouth, teeth and jaw • Swelling or sores inside the mouth • Numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, or loosening of a tooth • Kidney disorder (e.g. decreased urine output) • Dehydration secondary to post-dose symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
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.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet.
5. How to store Zoledronic acid
Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse knows how to store Zoledronic acid properly.
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bag after EXP. The first two digits indicate the month and the last four digits indicate the year. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Store the unopened bag below 25°C.
- After opening the bag, the product should be used immediately in order to avoid microbial contamination. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2°C - 8°C. Allow the refrigerated solution to reach room temperature before administration.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Zoledronic acid contains
- The active substance is zoledronic acid. Each bag with 100 ml of solution contains 5 mg zoledronic acid anhydrous (as monohydrate). One ml solution contains 0.05 mg zoledronic acid anhydrous
- The other ingredients are: mannitol (E421), sodium citrate dihydrate (E331), sodium hydroxide (E524) for pH-adjustment, hydrochloric acid (E507) for pH-adjustment and water for injections.
What Zoledronic acid looks like and contents of the pack
Zoledronic acid is a clear and colourless solution. It comes in a transparent 100 ml plastic bag with one port and one connector with a grey rubber membrane as a ready-to-use solution for infusion. It is supplied in packs containing one bag.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Synthon BV,
Microweg 22 6545 CM Nijmegen the Netherlands
Manufacturers:
Synthon BV
Microweg 22,
The Netherlands
Synthon Hispania SL Castello 1, Polfgono Las Salinas 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat Spain
This leaflet was last revised in May 2012
The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only (see section 3):
How to prepare and administer Zoledronic acid
Zoledronic acid is ready for use.
For single use only. Any unused solution should be discarded. Only clear solution free from particles and discoloration should be used. Zoledronic acid must not be mixed or given intravenously with any other medicinal product and must be given through a separate vented infusion line at a constant infusion rate. The infusion time must not be less than 15 minutes. Zoledronic acid must not be allowed to come into contact with any calcium-containing solutions. If refrigerated, allow the refrigerated solution to reach room temperature before administration. Aseptic techniques must be followed during preparation of the infusion. The infusion must be conducted according to standard medical practice.
How to store Zoledronic acid
■ Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
■ Do not use Zoledronic acid after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bag.
■ Store the unopened bag below 25°C.
■ After opening the bag, the product should be used immediately in order to avoid microbial contamination. If not used immediately, inuse storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2°C - 8°C. Allow the refrigerated solution to reach room temperature before administration.