Reclast™ (
zoledronic acid) is a prescription medication used to treat Paget's disease of the bone. It is taken as a single dose, given by IV (intravenously).
Reclast is made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
Reclast belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. The drug binds to certain cells in bones and slows down the rate at which they break down. Normally, bone is continuously being broken down and rebuilt. Paget's disease of the bone is a condition involving rapid breakdown of bone combined with abnormal reformation of bone. The abnormally reformed bone is weaker than normal bone. Bisphosphonates such as Reclast can help slow the breakdown of bone, which helps the body to build bone more normally.
Reclast binds to bone and is released slowly over time. Presumably, this is why only a single dose of the drug is necessary.
One way to assess the severity of Paget's disease is by measuring the level of alkaline phosphate in the blood. In studies, Reclast was shown to decrease alkaline phosphate levels, which indicates that it helps to improve Paget's disease. Studies compared a single dose of Reclast with daily doses of
Actonel® (
risedronate) 30 mg, a similar medication used to treat Paget's disease. Up to 89 percent of people who took Reclast achieved normal alkaline phosphate levels, compared to just 58 percent of those taking Actonel. In addition, Reclast seemed to work more quickly than Actonel.
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