Is a class of medications that can prevent loss of bone mass

Bone is replaced on a cellular level quite often.

Certain cells help in this process such as: osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Uses of this medication include:

   -    Osteoporosis
   -    Paget’s disease of bone (osteitis deformans)
   -    Osteogenesis imperfecta
   -    Bone cancer
   -    Multiple myeloma
   -    other cancers

Method of Action
   -    slows down the breakdown of bone

Two classifications of medicine

1.)    N-containing bisphosphonates

2.)    Non N-containing bisphosphonates

N-containing bisphosphonates

   -    Bind to enzymes necessary for breakdown of bone and cause a block of that enzymes activity

.         Sodium Alendronate    [Fosamax]
                -    given 10mg every day or
                -    given 70mg once a week

.         Risedronate    [Actonel]
                -    given 5mg every day or
                -    given 35mg once a week

.         Ibandronate    [Boniva]
                -    given once a mont

.         Zoledronic Acid    [Zoledronate, Zometa]
                -    given different doses depending on diagnosis
                -    Used in patients with cancers such as multiple myeloma and prostate cancer to prevent cancer

.         Pamidronate    [Aredia]

.         Neridronate

.         Olpadronate

Non N-containing bisphosphonates

   -    are metabolised in cells and transformed into compounds that affect bone destruction

.         Etidronate    [Didronel]

.         Tiludronic    [Skelid]

.         Clodronate

Side Effects

   -    Stomach pain
   -    Nausea
   -    Fatigue
   -    Irritation of esophagus
   -    Necrosis of jaw
   -    Joint pain
   -    Muscle pain
   -    others