Zometa

breast cancer 1995.  mastectomy and chemo  then tamoxifen.   then rising markers on arimidex for 15 months  and now on aromasin.  extensive work up including PET scan last year showed nothing.  Marker now 100. Pet/cat scan done and regular bone sca.  Pet showed some uptake in sacral spine  confirmed by MRI.   cat and bone scan showed nothing. Med changed to aromasin.  Also  zometa IV.  How does zometa differ from fosamax?  I have no veins left  and a port is being considered. Is there much difference in results. Some of the side effects  of the zometa  are scary. Your site is so helpful and I appreciate it so much. Keep up the good work.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear omacar, Zometa (zoledronic acid) and Fosamax (aledronate) are both bisphosphonates with similar mechanisms of action, however the method that bisphosphonates are given oral vs. intravenous makes a difference in terms of reducing skeletal complications (fracture, pain)in persons with metastatic bone lesions.  Oral bisphosphonates (in general) do not appear to be as effective as intravenous administration. The most likely reason for this is the low availability of the drug when given by mouth.  The general recommendation is that oral dosing should not be substituted for intravenous administration for the treatment of bone lesions caused by cancer.

Zometa overall is well tolerated.  Side effects are usually mild and temporary.  Some of these include: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, bone pain or lack of appetite. There had been some incidence in elevations of creatinine levels (blood test used to monitor kidney function) in some patients recieving Zometa, so likely your doctor will also monitor your levels as you're on this medication - as a precaution.  It is important to drink fluids and not become dehydrated while on this medication.