Zometa

Zometa Side Effects

Reviewed by Allison Baxley, PharmD, BCOP, Connie Zheng, PharmD

Last reviewed on September 18, 2023

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Bone pain (up to 55%)
Low phosphate levels in blood (up to 51%)
Nausea (up to 46%)
Fever (up to 44%)
Changes in serum creatinine (up to 40%)
Tiredness (39%)
Low red blood cells (up to 33%)
Vomiting (up to 32%)
Constipation (up to 31%)
Trouble breathing (27%)

Less Common Side Effects

Weakness
Diarrhea
Muscle and joint pain
Cough
Lower appetite
Leg swelling
Pain at tumor site

Zometa serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Low calcium in blood: irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, numbness, seizures

Source: DailyMed

The following Zometa side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Agitation

black, tarry stools

blurred vision

chest pain

chills

coma

confusion

convulsions

cough

depression

difficult or labored breathing

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fever

irregular heartbeat

irritability

lack or loss of strength

lethargy

lower back or side pain

muscle pain or cramps

muscle trembling or twitching

nausea or vomiting

numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

rapid weight gain

seizures

shaking of the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face

skin rash, cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth, or soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or mouth

stupor

sudden sweating

swollen glands

tightness in the chest

trouble breathing with exercise

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face

muscle spasms

neck pain

pounding in the ears

rapid breathing

sensation of spinning

slow or fast heartbeat

sunken eyes

tingling of the hands or feet

tremor

Incidence not known

Blurred vision or other change in vision

decreased frequency or amount of urine

decreased vision

eye pain

eye tenderness

heavy jaw feeling

increased blood pressure

increased tearing

increased thirst

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

loosening of a tooth

pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw

redness of the eye

sensitivity of the eye to light

severe eye pain

swelling of the face, hands, fingers, lower legs, or ankles

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Abdominal or stomach pain

back pain

bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

bladder pain

blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

bloody or cloudy urine

bone pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings

change in taste

constipation

cracked lips