Abstract
Zoledronic acid (Aclasta; Reclast), a third-generation nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, is the first once-yearly treatment to have been approved for use in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis or at high risk of fracture. Intravenous zoledronic acid 5 mg once yearly is effective in reducing the risk of several types of fracture in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis or recent low-trauma hip fracture. Moreover, improvements in bone mineral density (BMD) and reductions in markers of bone turnover are also generally observed. Zoledronic acid is generally well tolerated. Additional comparative data are required to definitively position zoledronic acid with respect to other agents. In the meantime, intravenous zoledronic acid 5 mg once yearly is a convenient and effective treatment option that may have an advantage over some other agents, for which adherence to treatment regimens is a recognized problem.
MeSH terms
-
Aged
-
Bone Density / drug effects
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacokinetics
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacology
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Diphosphonates / administration & dosage
-
Diphosphonates / adverse effects
-
Diphosphonates / pharmacokinetics
-
Diphosphonates / pharmacology
-
Diphosphonates / therapeutic use*
-
Female
-
Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
-
Fractures, Bone / prevention & control
-
Hip Fractures / epidemiology
-
Hip Fractures / prevention & control
-
Humans
-
Imidazoles / administration & dosage
-
Imidazoles / adverse effects
-
Imidazoles / pharmacokinetics
-
Imidazoles / pharmacology
-
Imidazoles / therapeutic use*
-
Male
-
Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
-
Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / drug therapy
-
Zoledronic Acid
Substances
-
Bone Density Conservation Agents
-
Diphosphonates
-
Imidazoles
-
Zoledronic Acid