Zoledronic acid Teva

Zoledronic acid Teva is a medicine that contains the active substance zoledronic acid. It is available as a concentrate (4 mg/5 ml) to be used to make a solution for infusion (drip) into a vein, and as a solution for infusion (4 mg/100 ml).

Zoledronic acid Teva is a ‘generic medicine’. This means that Zoledronic acid Teva is similar to a ‘reference medicine’ already authorised in the European Union (EU) called Zometa.

Zoledronic acid Teva can be used to prevent bone complications in adults with advanced cancer that is affecting the bone. This includes fractures (breaks in the bone), spinal compression (when the spinal cord is compressed by the bone), bone disorders needing radiotherapy (treatment with radiation) or surgery, and hypercalcaemia (high levels of calcium in the blood). Zoledronic acid Teva can also be used to treat the hypercalcaemia caused by tumours.

The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

Zoledronic acid Teva must only be used by a doctor who has experience in the use of this type of medicine given into a vein.

The usual dose of Zoledronic acid Teva is one infusion of 4 mg over at least 15 minutes. When used to prevent bone complications, the infusion can be repeated every three to four weeks, and patients should also take supplements of calcium and vitamin D. A lower dose is recommended for patients with bone metastases (when cancer has spread to the bone) if they have mild to moderate problems with their kidneys. It is not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems.

The active substance in Zoledronic acid Teva, zoledronic acid, is a bisphosphonate. It stops the action of the osteoclasts, the cells in the body that are involved in breaking down the bone tissue. This leads to less bone loss. The reduction of bone loss helps to make bones less likely to break, which is useful in preventing fractures in cancer patients with bone metastases.

Patients with tumours can have high levels of calcium in their blood, released from the bones. By preventing the breakdown of bones, Zoledronic acid Teva also helps to reduce the amount of calcium released into the blood.

No additional studies were needed as Zoledronic acid Teva is a generic medicine that is given by infusion and contains the same active substance as the reference medicine, Zometa.

Because Zoledronic acid Teva is a generic medicine, its benefits and risks are taken as being the same as the reference medicine’s.

The CHMP concluded that, in accordance with EU requirements, Zoledronic acid Teva has been shown to be comparable to Zometa. Therefore, the CHMP’s view was that, as for Zometa, the benefit outweighs the identified risk. The Committee recommended that Zoledronic acid Teva be given marketing authorisation.

A risk management plan has been developed to ensure that Zoledronic acid Teva is used as safely as possible. Based on this plan, safety information has been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet for Zoledronic acid Teva, including the appropriate precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Zoledronic acid Teva on 16 August 2012.

For more information about treatment with Zoledronic acid Teva, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.