| [ Summary ] |
As bisphosphonates (BPs) can reduce the incidence of fragility fractures, including hip fractures in patients with osteoporosis, they constiture the first-line therapy for osteoporosis. Numerous clinical studies have shown that most oral BPs, originally developed for once daily dosing, demonstrate equivalent, or non-inferior efficacy and tolerability as compared to weekly and/or monthly dosing regimens. Monthly intravenous or weekly gel regimens can also be used. Upper gastrointestinal tract problems and acute phase reaction are common but not serious adverse events of BPs. Moreover, although atypical femoral fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw are very rare, they comprise the major concerns of BP administration. |