Researchers find that taking lesser prescribed doses of
zolendronic acid, or zolendronate, confers likewise benefits with regular
dosages, according to data from an investigative study. There are many research
studies at the moment which question the efficacy and need of long-term
prescription with bisphosphonates, due to the incidence of atypical femur
fractures that have been associated with them. Fosamax and other zolendronate
reconstitutions have been the target for many filing class action lawsuits for
the last few years that have mired manufacturers, like Merck, in court
settlements with no signs of abatement. For more advice on osteoporosis and
updates on research and ongoing lawsuits regarding Fosamax, find out more here
on the Fosamax Femur fracture lawsuits information center .
The results from the study were brought before a gathering at
the Endocrine Society’s 93rd meeting in Boston.Bisphosponates, such as
zolendronate, are in the category of medications used for treating
osteoporosis, preventing fractures and certain bone-thinning diseases. The
researcher’s data suggested that one-fifth to one-half of currently prescribed
doses for patient’s osteoporosis treatments may be sufficient to lowering the
risk of osteoporotic fractures. If this proves to be a viable treatment method,
then this finding will allow patients to reduce their health care costs for
treatment as well as reduce the likelihood of developing side effects from the
medications.
Zolendronic acid is currently prescribed by its manufacturers in
5mg doses that are administered to patients for the prevention of osteoporosis
and fractures. With regards to women diagnosed with mild bone loss or
osteopenia, they are recommended to take a 5mg infusion of zolendronate every
other year, instead of every year.
A group of 180 postmenopausal women were tested in this study.
One group received a placebo, another received 1mg all the way up to the normal
5mg dosage currently recommended by manufacturers. Prior to this study none of
the women who participated in the research had a history of receiving
zolendronate or any other bisphosphonate therapy. All the women had their bone
mineral density taken at their lower back and hips at the start of the test and
then again one year later to compare any changes while on treatment.
After a year, bone mineral density was significantly improved in
the women’s groups who received zolendronate, compared to the placebo group.
For women who been assigned in the zolendronate group, their bone mineral
density showed signs of improvement; where the group receiving the 1mg dose
showed an increase of 3.5 percent, the group given 2.5mg showed an increase in
4 percent of their bone mineral density and those given the regular dose of 5mg
showed only 3.6 percent increase.
With the clear benefits and almost similar results among the lower dosages from that of the standard 5mg dose of zolendronate, the improvements for bone mineral density cannot be understated.
Reference:
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