Zometa (zoledronic acid) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for high calcium levels and certain cancers in adults. Zometa is given by intravenous (IV) infusion by your healthcare professional.

Zometa is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Zometa belongs to a drug class called bisphosphonates. Zometa is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Zometa, including its strengths and how to it is given. For a comprehensive look at Zometa, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Zometa provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Zometa dosage that’s right for you.

The information below describes Zometa’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Zometa form

Zometa comes as a liquid that’s given as an IV infusion. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.

Zometa strengths

Zometa comes in one strength of 4 milligrams (mg) of drug in 5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for hypercalcemia from cancer

Doctors may prescribe Zometa to treat hypercalcemia caused by cancer. The typical dosage is 4 mg given one time as an IV infusion. The infusion should be given over at least 15 minutes.

If your blood calcium isn’t at a normal level after 7 days, your doctor may recommend a second dose of Zometa.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Dosage for multiple myeloma and bone metastases from solid tumors

Zometa is prescribed to treat multiple myeloma or bone metastases from solid tumors. The typical dosage is 4 mg, given every 3–4 weeks. Each infusion should be given over at least 15 minutes.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Long-term treatment

Zometa is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for multiple myeloma or bone metastases from solid tumors. If you and your doctor determine that Zometa is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

For the treatment of hypercalcemia from cancer, Zometa is used short term. You’ll only have one dose of the drug. You may receive a second dose if your calcium level is still too high after 7 days. If your calcium level increases again, treatment can be repeated.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Zometa.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to reduce your dosage of Zometa if you have kidney disease. This is because the drug can build up in your body if your kidneys are not working well. This may increase your risk of side effects.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any health conditions you may have.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you an IV infusion of Zometa. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion takes about 15 minutes.

If you miss your appointment for a Zometa infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Zometa.

Is the dosage of Zometa similar to the dosage of Xgeva or Prolia?

The dosage forms and how often you take Zometa and Xgeva are similar. They are both given every 4 weeks and must be administered by your healthcare professional. Zometa is given as an IV infusion, while Xgeva must be given as a subcutaneous injection.

Prolia is given as a subcutaneous injection by your healthcare professional every 6 months. While Prolia and Xgeva both have the same active ingredient (denosumab), Prolia isn’t FDA-approved to treat multiple myeloma or bone metastases from solid tumors or hypocalcemia from cancer.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Zometa to start working?

Zometa starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Zometa treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zometa for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Zometa that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Zometa. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Zometa: For information about other aspects of Zometa, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Zometa, see this article. You can also look at the Zometa prescribing information.
  • Details about certain forms of cancer: For details about your condition, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.