Bisphosphonates for Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

As potent inhibitors of bone resorption, bisphosphonates (BPs) have been used to treat a variety of disorders of calcium and bone metabolism, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and metastatic bone disease. Numerous clinical studies have shown BPs to be useful and cost-effective options for the prevention and treatment of fractures and bone loss associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis, senile osteoporosis in men, and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. With proper self-administration in patients without underlying gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, oral bisphosphonates are usually safe; however, they can cause upper GI irritation. The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, gastritis, and esophageal irritation. Newer, longer-acting BPs and parenteral administration have lead to options for patients who cannot tolerate oral BPs.