Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Alendronic acid, sold under the brand name Fosamax among others, is a bisphosphonate medication used to treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone. [4] It is taken by mouth. [ 4 ] Use is often recommended together with vitamin D , calcium supplementation , and lifestyle changes.
Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis, osteitis deformans (Paget's disease of the bone), bone metastasis (with or without hypercalcemia), multiple myeloma, and other conditions involving fragile, breakable bone. In osteoporosis and Paget's, the most popular first-line bisphosphonate drugs are alendronate and risedronate.
Bisphosphonates are either administered orally or intravenously. They reduce bone resorption. [31] Mechanism of action: Bisphosphonate binds to the mineral component of the bone and inhibits enzymes (i.e. farnesyl-pyrophosphate synthase) responsible for bone formation, osteoclast recruitment and osteoclast function. [29] [31]
Matrix metalloproteinase 2 may be a candidate gene for bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw, since it is the only gene known to be associated with bone abnormalities and atrial fibrillation, both of which are side effects of bisphosphonates. [23]
Etidronic acid and other bisphosphonates may be appropriate therapies for selected patients but are less commonly used. In one study it was reported that people experienced side effects when taking bisphosphonates for six months, however the quality of evidence was low. [27] None of these drugs should be used by people with severe kidney disease.
Common side effects include fever, joint pain, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and feeling tired. [3] Serious side effects may include kidney problems, low blood calcium, and osteonecrosis of the jaw. [3] Use during pregnancy may result in harm to the baby. [3] It is in the bisphosphonate family of medications. [3]
Ibandronic acid is a bisphosphonate medication used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and metastasis-associated skeletal fractures in people with cancer. [4] It may also be used to treat hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels). It is typically formulated as its sodium salt ibandronate sodium. [medical citation needed]
Alendronic acid/colecalciferol, sold under the brand name Fosamax Plus D among others, is a medication for the treatment of osteoporosis in men or in postmenopausal women. [ 3 ] [ 2 ] [ 4 ] [ 6 ] Alendronic acid/colecalciferol was approved for use in the United States and in the European Union in 2005.