Bone health • IV bisphosphonate
Reclast®Zoledronic acid (5 mg infusion)
Annual physician-directed infusion therapy for selected adults with osteoporosis or Paget disease—with nursing monitoring at CarePoint in Beachwood, Cleveland, and Northeast Ohio.
How to use this page
This is general patient education, not a substitute for your prescribing clinician, pharmacist, or the official Medication Guide and FDA prescribing information. Reclast® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Reclast (zoledronic acid) is an annual intravenous bisphosphonate prescribed to reduce fracture risk and increase bone mass in adults with osteoporosis and to treat Paget disease of bone. It is given as a 5 mg IV infusion and requires calcium and vitamin D supplementation and renal monitoring as directed by your care team. For how IV and injectable osteoporosis options compare at CarePoint, see our osteoporosis treatment overview. See the FDA-approved label (PDF).
Description
Reclast is zoledronic acid, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that binds to bone mineral and inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, which increases bone mineral density (BMD) and lowers fracture risk. It is supplied as a 5 mg ready-to-infuse IV solution and is administered over at least 15 minutes. Details appear in the prescribing information.
Indications and why this medication is prescribed
FDA-approved indications include treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and treatment of Paget disease of bone. For prevention in postmenopausal women the dosing interval may be every two years; for treatment it is typically 5 mg once yearly. Confirm your schedule with your prescriber—summaries also appear in payer/clinical policy documents such as this zoledronic acid overview (PDF).
Why it may be chosen: Reclast offers a potent antiresorptive effect without daily oral dosing—helpful when oral bisphosphonates are poorly tolerated or adherence is difficult. Clinical programs such as the pivotal HORIZON fracture trial and related analyses describe significant reductions in vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures and durable BMD improvements in studied populations (PMC review; NEJM trial in men with osteoporosis).
Key clinical trial themes
- HORIZON Pivotal Fracture Trial: In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, annual zoledronic acid was associated with significant reductions in vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures versus placebo; acute-phase reactions were more common after the first infusion. Summarized in peer-reviewed reviews such as PMC10441037.
- Men with osteoporosis: A randomized trial reported a 67% relative reduction in new morphometric vertebral fractures over 24 months with 5 mg zoledronic acid versus placebo (New England Journal of Medicine).
- Treatment duration: Long-term extension and follow-up publications discuss persistent anti-fracture effects and BMD trajectories after stopping therapy in some patients—topics relevant to drug holidays and reassessment (Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology).
Common side effects and serious risks
The lists below are summaries only; frequencies and complete adverse reaction tables are in the FDA label.
Common (examples)
- Acute-phase reaction after the first infusion—fever, myalgia, flu-like symptoms (often less frequent with later doses)
- Arthralgia, headache, transient fever
Trial context: see discussion in PMC10441037.
Serious (less common; seek clinician guidance)
- Hypocalcemia—correct before dosing per label
- Renal impairment—the prescribing information contraindicates Reclast in patients with creatinine clearance <35 mL/min; hydration and renal monitoring follow labeling
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)
- Atypical femoral fractures
Important safety reminders
Always review boxed warnings and contraindications in the official label before each infusion. Do not stop or skip prescribed calcium/vitamin D unless your clinician tells you to. Report new thigh or groin pain, jaw symptoms, or symptoms of low calcium promptly.
Precautions and practical points
- Labs: Check serum calcium and renal function before infusion and follow the monitoring plan your clinician orders (label).
- Dental health: A dental examination is recommended when active dental disease is present before starting therapy because of ONJ risk (label).
- Duration of therapy: Discuss reassessment of fracture risk and whether to continue after several years—guidance evolves and depends on your risk profile (label; long-term evidence discussions).
For lifestyle approaches that complement prescribed therapy, you may also read our overview of non-pharmacological bone health.
Questions to ask your care team
- Am I a good candidate for Reclast given my kidney function and calcium levels?
- What monitoring schedule will you use for labs and dental health?
- How long should I continue therapy, and when will we reassess fracture risk?
Common questions about Reclast
What is Reclast (zoledronic acid) used for?
It is prescribed to reduce fracture risk and improve bone strength in adults with certain forms of osteoporosis (including postmenopausal osteoporosis and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis) and to treat Paget disease of bone, per FDA-approved indications.
How long does the infusion take?
The approved dose is 5 mg given intravenously over at least 15 minutes. Total office time is longer because of check-in, monitoring, and discharge instructions.
Why do I need calcium and vitamin D?
Bisphosphonates slow bone breakdown; if calcium intake or vitamin D levels are insufficient, some people develop hypocalcemia. Your clinician will tell you what supplements to take and when to hold them.
What is the acute-phase reaction?
After the first infusion, some patients experience fever, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms—often manageable with acetaminophen or NSAIDs if appropriate for you. Report severe or prolonged symptoms to your clinician.
Who should not receive Reclast?
The label lists contraindications including creatinine clearance <35 mL/min, uncorrected hypocalcemia, and known hypersensitivity to zoledronic acid or components. Your prescriber will screen for drug interactions and pregnancy status.
Does CarePoint prescribe Reclast?
CarePoint provides infusion nursing and coordination under a valid order from your treating clinician. Dosing decisions, labs, and long-term osteoporosis management remain with your prescribing specialist or primary team.
Infusions at CarePoint
CarePoint Infusion Center can administer Reclast when your clinician sends an order that meets labeling requirements (including renal function and calcium adequacy). We monitor you during the infusion and provide discharge education; medication decisions stay with your prescriber.
For benefit and authorization questions, see our prior authorization resources.
Selected references
- U.S. FDA. Reclast (zoledronic acid) prescribing information. NDA 021817 (label revision 2026). PDF at accessdata.fda.gov
- Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Zoledronic acid (Reclast) summary. nhpri.org (PDF)
- PMC10441037 — narrative review including HORIZON fracture outcomes. PubMed Central
- Boonen S, et al. Once-yearly zoledronic acid in men with osteoporosis. N Engl J Med. NEJM
- McClung MR, et al. Bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis: continuing healthcare needs. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024. thelancet.com
Serving Northeast Ohio Communities
CarePoint Infusion Center is your trusted provider for infusion therapy throughout Northeast Ohio. As leading providers in the region, we're conveniently located to serve patients from Cleveland and Beachwood to communities throughout Cuyahoga County. Whether you're searching for "infusion therapy near me" in Cleveland, "IV treatment Beachwood OH", or specialized infusion services anywhere in Northeast Ohio, we're here to help.
We conveniently serve patients from:
And throughout Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. Contact us today to schedule your infusion therapy appointment in Beachwood or Cleveland, Ohio.