Back to December 2009: Updates from the 2009 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Is IV Zometa beneficial for someone who has taken Fosamax?
- Question from otic: With the report that women on Fosamax may have protection against breast cancer, is there any information about whether IV Zometa would be advantageous to someone who has already been taking Fosamax?
- Answer —Kathy Miller, M.D. : Yes, potentially. The Zometa is a much more potent form of bisphosphonates so it may be more effective than Fosamax (chemical name: alendronate sodium). We are also learning that Zometa has other effects that may influence how tumors grow that is not related to its effects on the bones. Specifically Zometa can also decrease the blood supply to the tumors in other areas of the body, and that is not an effect that we have seen with all of the bisphosphonates. Whether it makes sense for you to change your treatment is something you need to discuss with your oncologist because there may be other considerations as well.