Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zoledronic acid, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zoledronic acid or other medications used to treat a high blood calcium or osteoporosis. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as other drugs, foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Zoledronic acid has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that zoledronic acid causes birth defects. Women of childbearing age should avoid becoming pregnant. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding— It is not known whether zoledronic acid passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of zoledronic acid in children with use in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of zoledronic acid in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zoledronic acid. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Previous allergic reaction to zoledronic acid or other drugs —May cause severe reaction
• Asthma—Certain types of asthma may be worsened by zoledronic acid
• Heart disease—May be worsened by zoledronic acid
• Kidney disease—May be worsened by zoledronic acid