Newsletters

Fall 2007

Once-a-Year Osteoporosis Treatment Now Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the approval of Reclast for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This medication, also called zoledronic acid or zoledronate, is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion over about 20 minutes every 12 months. New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center participated in clinical trials for Reclast, which showed an increase in bone density and reduction in the risk of fracture at the spine, hip, and other non-spine bones.

This drug is classified as a bisphosphonate- the family of drugs that includes familiar names such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva. These are the medications most often used to treat osteoporosis, a disease that results in fragile bones that are at increased risk of breaking (fracturing) under circumstances where normal bone would not break. Fractures due to osteoporosis may cause persistent pain, loss of independence, and death. Fortunately, osteoporosis can now be easily detected with a simple bone density test, and medications are available to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Reclast is one of two injectable bisphosphonate medications approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, the other being Boniva, which is given  every 3 months as an IV injection over 15-30 seconds.

 Who should be treated with one of these? Usually it is for someone who is not able to take similar drugs in pill form due to previous side effects, problems with the esophagus or stomach, or difficulty absorbing the medication due to an  intestinal disease or past surgery for obsity or ulcers.

It seems very remarkable that this medication can work for as long as 12 months after a single dose. There are no other drugs in common use that have this unusual characteristic. It is possible because of the strong attachment of the medicine to bone after the injection. It continues to work because the bone itself acts as a sort of “time-release capsule” that stores the medication and releases it when needed.

If you think that you may benefit from such an injectable medication for osteoporosis, ask you doctor for more information.

This page updated: 10/22/07