My turn ~ Another view on Reclast [Zoledronic acid aka Zometa]

Posted by CarolynK @carolynk, Jan 18 8:52am

If all of the comments about the horrible side effects of Reclast have gotten you petrified. Please read on.
I read many of the comments about Reclast in this support group and moved forward with my Reclast infusion with quite a bit of apprehension.
My history: I had also had a friend die due to a broken hip as a result of untreated osteoporosis. So when alendronic acid [Fosamax] quit working, I knew that I had to do something.
I started with 12 month of Evenity to build my bone. Then I was ready for the Reclast infusion. I prepared for the Reclast side effects that I had been reading about. I took five days off from work and had my cupboards stocked. As instructed, I hydrated before the infusion, 10 cups or more of liquid for three days.
The infusion itself was extremely easy.
Premedication: 2 regular Tylenol and 1 regular antihistamine.
1/2 hour of infused hydration solution
1/2 hour for the Reclast infusion, followed by
1/2 hour of infused hydration solution.
[Tip, if antihistamine makes you sleepy, like it does me, consider having someone drive you home.]
Then I waited. I took Tylenol as instructed [2 regular strength every 6 hours]. I continued hydrating. I had been instructed to follow my normal routine as long as I felt like it. So I did my normal workout the first evening, which includes a lot of stretching.
Second, third and fourth day, still thinking that severe side effects would appear, I continued the hydration and the Tylenol. Tired but no side effects.
My Conclusion:
WHY? First I am not a medical provider. But here are my thoughts.
1. I had been taking another bisphosphonate so several years and my body had become accustomed to it [Fosamax and Reclast are both bisphosphonates].
2. I took hydration seriously.
3. I went to the University of Kentucky Hospital Gill Infusion Center, one who does many Reclast infusions a week. They had the procedure down. Don't just go anywhere.
I hope this helps someone else.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

harborside24 | @harborside24 | Jan 22 7:41am

Thank you for sharing your experience. I, too, had my infusion at a hospital infusion center where they were done on a regular basis. It does make a difference, I believe.

oopsiedaisy | @oopsiedaisy | Jan 22 7:48am

In reply to @dvargo "@oopsiedaisy If your BMD is good after Evenity are you done with the drugs?" + (show)

@dvargo No. I will have to go back on a bisphosphonate to prevent the resumption of bone breakdown. I will likely go on Reclast for at least a couple of years. After that, I’d prefer to take a couple of years off everything.

dvargo | @dvargo | Jan 22 12:42pm

In reply to @oopsiedaisy "@dvargo No. I will have to go back on a bisphosphonate to prevent the resumption of..." + (show)

@oopsiedaisy what causes the breakdown of bone reaorption?

HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Feb 8 4:41pm

My friend, 78 years old, got the Reclast infusion. She is in lots of pain and very fatigued. This was 2 weeks ago. She vows never to do that again. I will never do it. I started resistance training instead. I have enough old age pain without causing more.

jozer | @jozer | Feb 9 8:25am

There is mention here of prep and choice of infusion center...I prepped with 64 oz of water and every 6 hours of Tylenol (2 regular) day before and continued with water/Tylenol for 5 days after. Zero side effects; bad headache on day 5 but that's it. The choice of infusion center is important...the one I was sent to had never heard of a slow drip, or "how to prep" (doc had said take Tylenol if you have flu-like symptoms after infusion, and to call the infusion center with any other infusion related questions). My entire infusion took less than 30 minutes - including the saline flush - then I hung around for another 30 to make sure I did not have bad reaction. I am in Cincinnati, so University of Kentucky would be an easy drive!

kplex | @kplex | Feb 9 10:19am

Thanks for sharing! I also go to UK and will be receiving my first infusion in late April. My Dr prescribed just as you detailed. I had big gains in spine on Tymlos so definitely want to lock them in.

harborside24 | @harborside24 | Feb 10 7:59am

In reply to @jozer "There is mention here of prep and choice of infusion center...I prepped with 64 oz of..." + (show)

@jozer I am so happy that you had a good experience. Mine was similar to yours, and you are absolutely right...the prep and choice of infusion center are critical. Thanks for sharing!

vagirl57 | @vagirl57 | Feb 10 5:11pm

In reply to @jozer "There is mention here of prep and choice of infusion center...I prepped with 64 oz of..." + (show)

@jozer I was never given any prep instructions. Just show up & stick your arm out.

jozer | @jozer | Feb 11 7:38am

yup show up and stick your arm out was about it. After I asked the doc about prepping, etc. he said to ask the infusion center so I did...and they never heard of any of my questions. Got a 5-page handout about Reclast, with direction about drinking 2 glasses of couple of hours before (I did know that only from reading the Novartis paperwork about reclast), precautions to follow, etc. ON MY WAY OUT. I knew the prep protocol only from my colleagues on this site!