Zometa
Meaning of Zometa: Zometa delivers zoledronic acid intravenously to slow bone breakdown, treating cancer related high calcium levels and reducing skeletal complications from bone metastases.
Definition of Zometa
Zometa is the brand name for zoledronic acid, a medication belonging to the bisphosphonate class of drugs. It works by slowing the activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue, which reduces the rate of bone loss and the release of calcium into the bloodstream.
Zometa is used to treat hypercalcemia, an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, that occurs as a complication of certain cancers. It is also given to people with multiple myeloma or with cancer that has spread to bone, where it helps reduce the risk of fractures, bone pain, and other skeletal complications.
Because Zometa affects bone remodeling throughout the body, it is administered as a controlled intravenous infusion and monitored alongside kidney function and calcium levels, and it is one of several bisphosphonate medications used for related purposes, including certain non-cancer bone conditions.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Zometa was infused to help manage the patient's hypercalcemia related to metastatic bone disease.
Good to know
Zometa and other bisphosphonates used for cancer related bone complications are typically given at different doses and schedules than the same drug class used for non-cancer bone conditions, so the indication shapes how the medication is administered.