Reclast or Zoedronic acid.

Reclast, the brand name for with Zoledronic acid has been approved by the FDA as a drug for the treatment of Osteoporosis. This drug is sold in the EU under the brand name of Aclasta.

Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate as is Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax. What is different about this drug is that it is given by intravenous infusion or injection at ones physician’s office and so it circumnavigates some of the common problems with other bisphosphonates – especially that of discontinuing the medication by the patient.

If you have questions about this drug, the following FAQ (Frequently Asked questions) may answer some of them.

FAQ for Reclast or Zoedronic acid

1. What kind of drug is this?

   This drug belongs to the class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates affect bones by inhibiting your osteoclasts, the cells that remove ‘old’ bone. Since the removal of bone is slowed, there is more opportunity for increased bone density.

2. What are its advantages over the other bisphosphonates?

   The biggest advantage is that this drug needs to be taken only once a year! Many are enthusiastic about this once a year treatment since one of the greatest drawbacks of all drug treatments for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis is that people stop taking their drugs. (This is called ‘non-compliance’ and it is one of the toughest problems facing physicians whose clients have thin or porous bones.)

3. Will a once a year treatment be effective?

   The study published in the May 3, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine showed that an annual treatment with this drug is as effective as current monthly or weekly osteoporosis regimens at reducing the incidence of bone fracture.

   The study, formally called, Health Outcomes and Reduced Incidence with Zoledronic acid Pivotal Fracture Trial , known as HORIZON, was a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled

   trial. The study followed over seven thousand post menopausal women who with Osteoporosis. There was a 70 percent reduction in the risk of spinal fractures and a 40 percent reduction in the risk of hip fractures. And this effect was sustained over the three years.

   "The reductions in hip and spine fractures were at least as large as those seen with other drugs in this category," said Dennis Black, PhD, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the UCSF School of Medicine, who led the study. "But even more remarkable were the strong, significant and consistent effects across all fracture types."

4. Who is the manufacturer of this drug?

   Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., a U.S. affiliate of the Swiss-based Novartis. It should be noted that . Novartis is one of the largest drug companies in the world.

5. What is the dosage needed for good results?

   5 mg of Reclast (zolendratic acid) was the dosage used in the study.

6. What about side effects? Isn’t zolendratic acid associated with renal damage and bone deterioration?

   The renal damage and bone deterioration has been seen in much larger doses used in cancer treatment. But this study showed no such damaging side effects.

   It is believed that this is due to the lower dosage used in the Osteoporosis study.

   The study did find that atrial fibrillation ( a heart beat abnormality) increased in small amounts in some subjects. "The observed increase in atrial fibrillation was very small -- less than one in 100 patients -- so it needs to be weighed against the reduction in fracture risk," Black said. This increase was unexpected and has not been seen in other studies of this drug. He recommends that it be further examined.Also some patients may have one of the following when they first begin using this drug:

   • fever and chills
   • muscle, bone or joint pain
   • nausea , fatigue or headache
   • redness, swelling or pain at the infusion site or at your eyes. Also some patients experienced some sensitivity to light
   • Some patients experience low blood calcium after treatment.. Symptoms of low blood calcium can include numbness or tingling or muscle spasms.
   You should contact your health care provider immediately if you notice any of these symptoms after getting Reclast.
7. Are their other things I should know about this drug?

   Reclast has the same active ingredient (zoledronic acid) found in Zometa, a drug that it administered by injection. If you are already being treated with Zometa , you should NOT take this drug.

   Patients with severe kidney problems should not take Reclast. If

   you have or have had kidney problems be sure to tell your current health care provider is he or she is considering this drug for your bone loss.

   Also, it is important to drink sufficient fluids before getting your Reclast treatment. Also you should take 1500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D each day - , especially during the first 2 weeks after your Reclast treatment

As with all drugs, be sure to ask your health care provider ANY and ALL questions you might have. You need to be fully informed about your treatment To read more about the side effects go to:Reclast side effects

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