Zometa is prescribed to patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy and multiple myeloma and bone metastases of solid tumors. While both diseases are usually fatal, Zometa increases life-expectancy and treats many of the symptoms. Zometa increases a patient’s risk of kidney failure and can cause severe birth defects and injuries or death to an unborn baby.
What are some important things I should know about Zometa?
Zometa is in the FDA’s pregnancy category D, which indicates that injury or death to unborn or nursing babies is extremely likely.
Zometa is prescribed to patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy and multiple myeloma and bone metastases of solid tumors.
Hypercalcemia in malignancy usually develops suddenly and is often associated with breast and lung cancer and multiple myeloma. It often has a poor prognosis, with estimated survival time of a median of six weeks.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell, and while it is incurable, it is treatable. The plasma cell is an important part of the immune system that helps fight disease. Tumors will grow and spreads to the cavities of all large bones in the body, which is why the disease is called “multiple” myeloma.
Zometa can cause kidney damage and failure, as well as severe injury or death to unborn or nursing babies. Zometa can also cause severe allergic reactions and dangerous drug interactions. Patients taking Zometa have also experienced:
- fever
- chills
- bone pain
- flu-like symptoms
- rash
- chest pain
Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. You should use at least two forms of birth control while taking Zometa and refrain from becoming pregnant for several months after stopping Zometa. Also, contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of face, mouth, or throat
- hives
- rash
- abdominal pain
- difficulty urinating
- urinating blood