
Bisphosphonate
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone density, used to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases. They are the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat osteoporosis. They are called bisphosphonates because they have two phosphonate (PO(OH)₂) g…
What are Bisphosphonates and how do they work?
Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that work by slowing bone loss. They reduce the risk of hip and spine fractures. Bone renewal is a slow process, but in many people an increase in bone density can be measured over five years of treatment. Uses Bisphosphonates can be used to reduce the risk of hip and spine fractures in osteoporosis.
How do bisphosphonates treat osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates are drugs that help prevent or slow down bone thinning (osteoporosis). They can help to treat some types of cancer that cause bone damage. Secondary bone cancer
How to take bisphosphonates?
Osteoporosis Medications (Bisphosphonates) Risedronate (Actonel) Alendronate (Fosamax) Ibandronate (Boniva) Zoledronic Acid (Reclast) Pamidronate (Aredia) Etidronate (Didronel)
What do bisphosphonate drugs do?
4 rows · As aforementioned, bisphosphonates promote the apoptosis of osteoclasts actively engaged in the ...

How do bisphosphonates work?
We know that bisphosphonates can: interfere with the formation of osteoclasts. make osteoclasts self destruct or die early. change the signalling between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. form a barrier between the bone and the osteoclast.
How do bisphosphonates affect osteoclasts?
We know that bisphosphonates can: 1 interfere with the formation of osteoclasts 2 make osteoclasts self destruct or die early 3 change the signalling between osteoclasts and osteoblasts 4 form a barrier between the bone and the osteoclast
How to treat bone cancer?
Researchers have found that some types of bone targeted treatments can: 1 prevent or slow down the activity of bone disease and improve symptoms in people with myeloma 2 prevent or reduce bone problems, including for pain relief, in some people with advanced prostate cancer 3 help reduce the rate of early breast cancer coming back in the bone for some postmenopausal women 4 help some postmenopausal women with early breast cancer live longer 5 help to prevent complications from other cancers that have spread to the bones
What are the different types of bone cells?
These specialised bone cells are: 1 osteoclasts, these cells break down old bone 2 osteoblasts which build new bone
What are bisphosphonates used for?
What are bisphosphonates and why are they used in lupus treatment? Bisphosponates such as risedronate (Actonel), alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), zoledronic acid (Reclast), and pamidronate (Aredia) are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis—or, bone thinning—which occurs when the bones lose calcium and other minerals ...
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Bisphosponates such as risedronate (Actonel), alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), zoledronic acid (Reclast), and pamidronate (Aredia) are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis—or, bone thinning—which occurs when the bones lose calcium and other minerals that help keep them strong and compact. This condition can lead to fractures, bone ...
Is osteoporosis a risk factor for menopause?
Everyone is at risk for osteoporosis as they age, and women experience a greater risk of the condition after menopause. However, studies have shown that people with lupus are at an increased risk for osteoporosis due to the inflammation they experience with the disease. Certain medications taken by lupus patients also increase the risk ...
Does lupus cause osteoporosis?
However, studies have shown that people with lupus are at an increased risk for osteoporosis due to the inflammation they experience with the disease. Certain medications taken by lupus patients also increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone.
Does Actonel help with osteoporosis?
If you have already developed osteoporosis, these medications may slow the thinning of your bones and help prevent bone fractures (broken bones). In fact, studies have shown that alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) can lower your risk of fractured vertebrae—bone segments that make up your spine—by 50%.
How to keep your bones strong?
It is important for you to take other steps to help keep your bones healthy and strong. Exercise and movement are important for the health of your bones, joints, and muscles and may lower your risk of osteoporosis. Walking, stretching, yoga, and other activities will help ward off bone thinning and muscle loss.
How to reduce osteoporosis risk?
Exercise and movement are important for the health of your bones, joints, and muscles and may lower your risk of osteoporosis. Walking, stretching, yoga, and other activities will help ward off bone thinning and muscle loss.
What is bisphosphonate used for?
Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs used to help prevent and treat bone loss. They're prescribed for people with osteopenia (softening of the bones), osteoporosis (brittle and easily broken bones), Paget's disease, and certain bone cancers.
When to take bisphosphonate?
Except for Altevia, all pill forms of bisphosphonates should be taken on an empty stomach before eating breakfast — generally 30 minutes beforehand. Take Boniva on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating; Altevia should be taken after meals.
What are the side effects of bisphosphonates?
The most common side effects of bisphosphonates are stomach irritation and heartburn, but these problems are often avoided by taking the medication correctly. Other common side effects include: Bone or joint pain, or generalized pain. Muscle cramps or aches. Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or other stomach discomfort.
How does a syringe work?
These drugs work by interfering with the process through which the body breaks down bone tissue.
How often is Boniva given?
Boniva (ibandronate) Reclast or Zometa (zoledronic acid) Reclast and Zometa ( zoledronic acid) are administered by intravenous (IV) injection once a year. The other bisphosphonates come in pills, taken orally.
How often is zoledronic acid given?
Reclast or Zometa (zoledronic acid) Reclast and Zometa ( zoledronic acid) are administered by intravenous (IV) injection once a year. The other bisphosphonates come in pills, taken orally.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Other common side effects include: 1 Bone or joint pain, or generalized pain 2 Muscle cramps or aches 3 Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or other stomach discomfort 4 Headache or dizziness 5 Head colds, sinus or throat infections, or the flu 6 Bladder infections 7 Tiredness or trouble sleeping
What is a bisphosphonate?
What are bisphosphonates? Bisphosphonates, also known as diphosphonates, are a class of drugs that have been used commonly for more than two decades for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates slow bone resorption by reducing osteoclast function. Many studies have shown that this class of medication can improve bone density ...
What is the purpose of bisphosphonates?
Bisphosphonates, also known as diphosphonates, are a class of drugs that have been used commonly for more than two decades for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates slow bone resorption by reducing osteoclast function. Many studies have shown that this class of medication can improve bone density and reduce the risk ...
How are bisphosphonates administered?
They are administered in two ways: orally and intravenously. Bisphosphonates include the following medications: Alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva) are available orally. The former two agents can be taken daily or weekly; the latter two agents can be taken daily or monthly.
How often is ibandronate given?
The former two agents are generally given every three to four months, and the latter agent yearly. Pamidronate was the first available intravenous bisphosphonate.
Is zoledronic acid FDA approved?
Zoledronic acid is also FDA-approved to treat both of these conditions. These drugs reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures as quickly as six months after institution of the drug. Alendronate has been FDA- approved since 1995 and hundreds of millions of prescriptions have been written.
Is bisphosphonate FDA approved?
Any patients who describe gastrointestinal symptoms related to bisphosphonate use should be evaluated. These patients may well be candidates for intravenous zoledronic acid, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of osteoporosis and is not associated with gastrointestinal irritation.
What is ONJ in dentistry?
Patients with ONJ (also known as avascular necrosis of the jaw) develop exposed bone in the jaw. The overlying tooth often falls out and a non-healing, often painful lesion remains. Also, an associated drainage tract may be present, connecting the area of damaged bone to the gum surface.
Can bisphosphonates cause osteonecrosis?
Those taking oral bisphosphonates are at a lower risk for developing osteonecrosis than those taking them intravenously for cancer therapy . Doctors administer bisphosphonates as part of cancer therapy to reduce abnormally high calcium levels in the blood and to reduce bone pain.
What is the term for the loss of blood to the bone?
Loss of blood to the bone is a condition called bone necrosis. Bone is living tissue that needs blood to survive, and any interruption to that blood supply can cause bone death and eventual collapse.
What is bone necrosis?
Bisphosphonates and bone necrosis. Loss of blood to the bone is a condition called bone necrosis. Bone is living tissue that needs blood to survive, and any interruption to that blood supply can cause bone death and eventual collapse.
How do bisphosphonates work?
Bisphosphonates work by slowing down the cells which break down bone (osteoclasts). Therefore they slow down bone loss, allowing the bone building cells (osteoblasts) to work more effectively. They can help to strengthen bone and help to prevent it getting any weaker.
Does bisphosphonate help bone?
They can help to strengthen bone and help to prevent it getting any weaker. People who take a bisphosphonate are less likely to break (fracture) a bone.
What is a bisphosphonate?
Bisphosphonates are a group of medicines used to treat conditions that affect your bones. Different bisphosphonates are available for different conditions. Bisphosphonates. In this article.
What are some examples of bisphosphonates?
Examples of conditions which bisphosphonates can help treat are: Osteoporosis - a condition where bones become thin and more prone to fracture. Paget's disease of bone. Cancer that has spread to the bones (bone metastases). Very high amounts of calcium in the blood in people who are very ill with advanced cancer.
What is Paget's disease?
Paget's disease of bone. Cancer that has spread to the bones (bone metastases). Very high amounts of calcium in the blood in people who are very ill with advanced cancer. The rest of this leaflet is only about bisphosphonates that your doctor may prescribe for osteoporosis in order to prevent broken bones (fractures).
Do bisphosphonates help with osteoporosis?
Have osteoporosis and have already had a broken bone (fracture). Bisphosphonates help to prevent any further bone fractures. Have a low bone density and your doctor thinks you are at risk of getting a bone fracture. Read more about factors that can increase your risk in the leaflet called Osteoporosis.
Can you take bisphosphonate with a dental check up?
You must tell your dentist if you are taking a bisphosphonate. You will need to have regular dental check-ups. Also it is advisable to have a dental check-up before starting a bisphosphonate. This is because there is a very small chance that you will get a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. In this rare condition the jawbone does not receive enough blood and the bone starts to weaken and die. It is usually painful, but not always. In most people, this goes away after they have stopped taking their medicine.
