[Stann]

Aredia vs Zometa

by Stann on Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:02 pm

I have been on monthly Aredia infusions for 2 1/2 years now.
I was wondering if I switched to Zometa if I'd lessen the chances of developing osteonecrosis.
Thanks, Stan

[greg matthews]

Re: Aredia vs Zometa

by greg matthews on Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:01 pm

I was taken off zometa never heard of osteonecrosis. Is this a side effect?

[Kevin J]

Re: Aredia vs Zometa

by Kevin J on Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:35 pm

I'm not very familiar with Aredia, but have been on Zometa since starting treatment (12 cycles) and will be continuing for another 12 cycles. I looked into the risk of osteonecrosis when I first started the Zometa, and I believe it was less the 1%. Since both Aredia and Zometa are bisphosphonates, I imagine they have similar risk with respect to osteonecrosis. I've also researched the benefits of Zometa (from both the bone strengthening aspect and also that it has been shown to improve the response to chemo) and discussed it with my doctor and decided the benefits outweighed the risks. On the negative side, I've also found that the Zometa increases my queasiness and achiness after treatment.

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Aredia vs Zometa

by Ron Harvot on Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:32 am

I have been on aredia for 3 years. I started doing it monthly but am now bi- monthly. It helps harden bones, heals lesions and prevents new lesions. It does not have the anti-myloma enhancement benefits of zometra but has fewer side effects. The infusions take about 2 1/2 hours or twice as long. More oncologists are prescribing zometra over aredia because of the enhancement benefits.

Ron

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Aredia vs Zometa

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:40 pm

Hello from cloudy and grey Seattle,
Zometa and Aredia are generally thought to be equivalent agents. The Mayo Clinic guidelines (msmart.org) do not recommend one agent over the other. If your myeloma is stable you may not need to be on bisphosphonates any longer.

The MSMART guidelines for duration are as follows:
• Patients should receive infusions of bisphosphonates monthly for 1 year, and then every
3 months for 2nd year

• After 2 years:
• If stable disease or better, discontinue and follow general osteoporosis guidelines

• If less than stable, continue monthly dosing

• With relapse, return to monthly dosing and restart as above

Best of luck !