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Should I take calcium supplements with Zometa?
My doctor says that some people who receive Zometa develop bony aches for a few days afterwards, and can also have muscle irritability and spasms. This is probably due to the ability of Zometa to decrease calcium levels, making nerve fibers and muscle more irritable, and hence the recommendation for calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Generally an over-the-counter supplement like Caltrate 600 + D (with 600 mg of calcium and 200 IU of vitamin D), one tablet a day, or its equivalent, is sufficient. Please ask your doctor about this before doing anything. After I started calcium supplementation, my own serum calcium level became elevated. Barbara J. adds: Bisphosphonates/Ca/Vit D With regard to taking Calcium supplements with IV bisphosphates: It is of interest to note that all of the trials establishing parameters for Zometa/Aredia were done with patients receiving both calcium and Vit D supplements. Therefore the data presumes one is taking CA/Vit D. One other piece of bisphosphonate trivia: As bisphosphonates are a treatment for hypercalcemia, Ca blood levels may, indeed, decrease in some people. Sometimes this action can escalate into a dangerous situation. Bisphosphates "peak" at day 7. It would be especially important to monitor Ca/Vit D intake for the first 7 days post infusion. |
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