Education For Healthy Life

Bisphosphonate drugs may cause both short- and long-term side effects.
Short-term side effects that may occur immediately after receiving either pamidronate (Aredia®) or zoledronic acid (Zometa®) are:

― Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches. These side effects are often mild, do not last long, and tend not to recur following future treatments. The following long-term side effects have been reported in some cancer patients treated with bisphosphonates:

― Osteonecrosis (dead bone) of the jaw is a rare dental condition. It is an area of exposed jaw bone that shows no sign of healing after eight weeks. The condition can cause a feeling of pain or numbness in the affected area. As most cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw have occurred in patients treated with IV
bisphosphonate drugs – mainly pamidronate (Aredia®) and zoledronic acid (Zometa®) – there is concern, but no proof, that the disorder is a side effect of these medications. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is much more likely to occur after an invasive dental procedure (such a having a tooth removed or dental implant surgery). This is why breast cancer patients should see their dentist for a careful dental examination before
starting therapy with pamidronate or zoledronic acid. If extensive dental work or oral surgery is needed, it is best to delay the bisphosphonate treatment until after the dental work has been completed. Patients should also be sure to follow good oral health procedures (by, for example, regularly brushing and flossing their teeth). Additional information can be found in the Bone and Cancer Foundation publication “Osteonecrosis of the Jaw – Information for Cancer Patients” available online at www.boneandcancerfoundation.org or by calling 1-888-862-0999.


― Kidney function can be affected by IV bisphosphonate treatment. Accordingly,
zoledronic acid or pamidronate should not be given to patients with severe kidney
problems. In addition, breast cancer patients being treated with these drugs should
have their kidney function checked before each infusion. This is done with a blood
test that measures the level of a compound called creatinine.