Zoledronic Acid (Reclast) can I have just one infusion?

I’m 70, just had my second infusion. Other than the 2 day flu the first time, I’ve had no side effects that I notice. However I happened to have a previously unplanned CT scan with contrast just 7 days after the second infusion - so they ran kidney function bloodwork before the scan. My eGFR dropped from 80 to 49 and my creatinine is now 1.2. It is believed the cause was the Reclast, but it’s expected to be a temporary change. I will have another blood draw in a week and a half - the hope is that the kidney function will recover to its normal level.
So the one caution I would have is if your kidney function is low already you would want to discuss the implications of Reclast with your doctor.
Reclast has worked for me, I’m no longer in osteoporosis (my lowest level was -2.9 before tx). But I would not risk my kidneys for it - if my eGFR doesn’t rise back up I won’t be taking Reclast again (3 infusions were recommended).

My kidney function is low (stage 3 a but almost b) and I am having a 20% dose of Reclast, IV hydration, and slow infusion.

That may be a good option for me, thanks. Will that be an annual dose? Since I’m back up into osteopenia I will not have another DEXA for 2 years. I wonder on a 20% dose if there would be a closer watch to see if bone is maintained.

@Rubyslippers the infusions will be more frequent, at least at first. In 3-6 months I will have another one and I can choose the dose based on how I do (and my kidneys do) with the 1 mg 20% dose. I have read and my doctor agrees that a half dose of 2.5mg is as effective as the full dose of 5mg.

Hi
I am getting my third IV of reclast or zoldronic acid whichever same thing this July , the only thing I can suggest is you make sure you hydrate the day before and the morning of your IV and I took two Tylenol the morning of I had no side effects. I do a Roar electrolyte drink pick up at health food store. Best way to increase bone density. 👌

Was it difficult to get your Dr to agree to a 20% dose of Reclast? My Dr would only agree to doing a 3 mg dose.
Also, I've read several comments that a half dose of Reclast is as effective as a full dose. If that's the case, why is the standard dose 5mg? It would seem they would use the minimum amount of the drug to get the job done.

I didn't come up with the idea @ripley. My doctor insisted on the lower dose. I have afib and kidney disease and am sensitive to just about everything.

Because I had posted that my kidney function dropped 7 days after a second annual Reclast infusion I wanted to share that it wasn’t a permanent drop. After the infusion my eGFR went from 80 to 49, and my creatinine went from .8 to 1.2. I just had a blood draw 4 1/2 weeks after Reclast and my eGFR is back up to 79 and creatinine is .8
I didn’t want to scare anyone into not getting Reclast because of my earlier post. I will say, next time around I will avoid any procedure right after the Reclast, if I can, that might put a strain on my kidney as it is already working hard to recover.

@Rubyslippers thank you so much. I am starting out with an eGFR of 40 so my nephrologist is scaring me. I am doing a 20% dose with IV hydration and hope for the best. It was so nice of you to post.

It appears you are on Medicare. I was told by a Dexa technician that Medicare will pay for annual scans for osteopenia as long as you are being treated for it. I have osteopenia and qualify for Prolia because I am on Letrozole which can cause bone loss. The biggest problem seems to be that most doctors are unaware of this and so are reluctant to order the scan.