Zoledronic acid is approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is also approved to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis and for the prevention of new clinical fractures in patients who have recently had a low-trauma hip fracture. In 2009, it was approved for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women as a result of long-term use of steroid medicines (examples are prednisone and cortisone).
Zoledronic acid is given once a year as an intravenous (IV) infusion to treat osteoporosis. It is also given every two years as an IV infusion to prevent osteoporosis. Zoledronic acid increases bone density and reduces the incidence of the spine and non-spine fractures, including hip fractures.
A healthcare provider gives zoledronic acid as an intravenous (IV) dose of 5 mg in a doctor’s office or other outpatient setting. It takes at least 15 minutes for the yearly infusion. Patients need to have a blood test to check creatinine and creatinine clearance prior to each IV dose to make sure the kidney function is normal. A routine oral exam is also done before each dose.