What are the advantages
and disadvantages?
What might be an advantage for one man might be a disadvantage
for another. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your own
situation.
Advantages
- Bisphosphonates help to relieve bone pain and stop it getting
worse. They can also help to prevent any new bone pain.
- You may find it easier to move around if you have less bone
pain.
- Bisphosphonates may help to reduce your risk of broken
bones.
- Bisphosphonates lower the amount of calcium in your blood and
treat the symptoms of hypercalcaemia.
Disadvantages
- Like all treatments, bisphosphonates can cause side
effects.
- If you are having zoledronic acid you will have to travel to
the hospital every three or four weeks for treatment.
- Bisphosphonates can take up to three months to start helping
with bone pain.
- You may need to have regular dental check-ups.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor or
nurse to help you decide whether to take bisphosphonates.
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What does treatment
involve?
A bisphosphonate called zoledronic acid (Zometa®) is
usually used to treat men with prostate cancer. You will have your
treatment at the hospital every three or four weeks. Zoledronic
acid is a fluid which is given through a drip into a vein. The
treatment takes about fifteen minutes.
Before treatment, you will have some tests to check your
kidneys. This is because bisphosphonate drugs may affect how well
they kidneys work.
You might need to have a full dental check up before you start
treatment. This is to lower the risk of developing a condition
called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Speak to your doctor or nurse about any medical or dental
problems you have had in the past. And let them know about any
medicines you are taking at the moment.
You can read more about treatment with bisphosphonates in our online fact
sheet.
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What are the side
effects?
Side effects vary from person to person. Some of the possible
side effects are listed below.
Common side effects:
Flu-like symptoms
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have this. They may recommend
pain-relieving drugs such as paracetamol to help manage this.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick
(vomiting)
You may feel or be sick after having bisphosphonates. This
shouldn't last for more than a few days. If it does carry on, your
doctor or nurse can give you anti-sickness medicines which will
help.
Loss of appetite
You may feel less hungry after having treatment. This should
improve in a few days, but it is important to drink plenty and eat
healthily while you are having bisphosphonates.
Increased pain
Some men may experience a slight increase in joint, muscle or
more bone pain when taking bisphosphonates. Pain-relieving drugs
can help until the pain settles down, but you can stop treatment if
it continues for more than a few days.
Low blood calcium and phosphate levels
Bisphosphonates can cause the levels of minerals such as calcium
and phosphate in your blood to become too low. Your doctor or nurse
will check this regularly and prescribe supplements if you need
them.
Kidney problems
Bisphosphonates can change how well your kidneys work. You will
have regular tests to check this. These changes may not be serious,
and your kidneys will return to normal if you stop taking
bisphosphonates.
Red or sore eyes (conjunctivitis)
Your eyes may feel itchy, sore or dry. Your doctor or nurse can
prescribe eye drops to help with this.
Less common side effects:
Rash or itching
You may notice a rash on your skin or feel quite itchy. This can
be uncomfortable but should not last for more than a few days. Tell
your doctor or nurse about this so they can prescribe medicine to
help.
Stomach or bowel problems
You may feel stomach pain or notice changes in your bowel
habits. For example, you may have loose and watery stools
(diarrhoea).Or you may find it harder to pass stools and completely
empty your bowels (constipation). This should not last more than a
few days.
Risk of heart problems
Bisphosphonates may slightly increase your risk of heart
problems, including a fast and irregular heartbeat and stroke. Talk
to your doctor about this if you are worried about it, or if you
have a history of heart problems.
Jaw problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw)
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare side effect. It happens when
the healthy bone in the jaw becomes damaged and dies. Keeping your
teeth and mouth clean may help to lower your risk of getting
osteonecrosis of the jaw. Ask your dentist if you have any
questions about this.
You can read more about side effects in our online fact
sheet.
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Questions to ask your
doctor or nurse
- Would you recommend bisphosphonate treatment for me?
- What are the main benefits of bisphosphonates?
- What are the main side effects of bisphosphonates?
- Who do I contact if I have side effects?
- Are there any clinical trials which I can take part in at my
own hospital or somewhere else?
Back to contents
What are the side effects?
Side effects vary from person to person. Some of the possible
side effects are listed below.
Common side effects:
Flu-like symptoms
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have this. They may recommend
pain-relieving drugs such as paracetamol to help manage this.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick
(vomiting)
You may feel or be sick after having bisphosphonates. This
shouldn't last for more than a few days. If it does carry on, your
doctor or nurse can give you anti-sickness medicines which will
help.
Loss of appetite
You may feel less hungry after having treatment. This should
improve in a few days, but it is important to drink plenty and eat
healthily while you are having bisphosphonates.
Increased pain
Some men may experience a slight increase in joint, muscle or
more bone pain when taking bisphosphonates. Pain-relieving drugs
can help until the pain settles down, but you can stop treatment if
it continues for more than a few days.
Low blood calcium and phosphate levels
Bisphosphonates can cause the levels of minerals such as calcium
and phosphate in your blood to become too low. Your doctor or nurse
will check this regularly and prescribe supplements if you need
them.
Kidney problems
Bisphosphonates can change how well your kidneys work. You will
have regular tests to check this. These changes may not be serious,
and your kidneys will return to normal if you stop taking
bisphosphonates.
Red or sore eyes (conjunctivitis)
Your eyes may feel itchy, sore or dry. Your doctor or nurse can
prescribe eye drops to help with this.
Less common side effects:
Rash or itching
You may notice a rash on your skin or feel quite itchy. This can
be uncomfortable but should not last for more than a few days. Tell
your doctor or nurse about this so they can prescribe medicine to
help.
Stomach or bowel problems
You may feel stomach pain or notice changes in your bowel
habits. For example, you may have loose and watery stools
(diarrhoea).Or you may find it harder to pass stools and completely
empty your bowels (constipation). This should not last more than a
few days.
Risk of heart problems
Bisphosphonates may slightly increase your risk of heart
problems, including a fast and irregular heartbeat and stroke
Talk to your doctor about this if you are worried about it, or
if you have a history of heart problems.
Jaw problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw)
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare side effect. It happens when
the healthy bone in the jaw becomes damaged and dies. Keeping your
teeth and mouth clean may help to lower your risk of getting
osteonecrosis of the jaw. Ask your dentist if you have any
questions about this.
You can read more about side effects in our online fact
sheet