Background:Zoledronic acid (ZA) is an intravenous bisphosphonate approved for the prevention and treatment of cancer skeletal-related events.
Objective:Our aim was to analyze the prescription patterns of ZA in the cancer outpatient clinic.
Method:We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who received at least 1 dose of ZA from January 2009 until December 2010 in our institution. The patients' follow-up period was defined from the administration of the first dose until February 2011.
Results:The sample comprised 345 patients: 31.9 % had breast cancer, 14.5 % prostate cancer, 29.0 % multiple myeloma, and 24.6 % other solid tumors. A total of 4,546 doses were administered; 2,749 (60.5 %) without intravenous chemotherapy. 71.1 % of patients with breast cancer, 86 % with prostate cancer, 60 % with multiple myeloma and 44.6 % with other solid tumors, received ZA without intravenous chemotherapy throughout bisphosphonate treatment. Doses were adjusted in one-third of cases. Administration every 4-weeks was the most frequent schedule. Median duration of treatment varied between 15.0 months for breast cancer and 4.2 months for other solid tumors.
Conclusion: Most of ZA prescriptions in cancer outpatients followed the labeled indications. The percentage of ZA doses administered without intravenous chemotherapy was 60.5 %.
Written by:
Anglada-Martínez H, do Pazo-Oubiña F, Molas-Ferrer G, Estefanell-Tejero A, Riu-Viladoms G, Ribas-Sala J, Creus-Baró N. Are you the author?
Pharmacy Service, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
Reference: Int J Clin Pharm. 2012 Sep 6. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s11096-012-9693-4
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22956210
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