title: Role of alendronate and risedronate in preventing and treating osteoporosis.
abstract: Alendronate and risedronate, the two oral bisphosphonates approved in the United States for preventing and treating osteoporosis, have never been compared in direct head-to-head trials, but they appear to have similar pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, adverse effect profiles, and efficacy. Alendronate, however, can be given as a once-weekly dose, whereas risedronate is not yet available in this dosage form. On the other hand, alendronate is not approved for preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, whereas risedronate carries this indication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Licata
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000068296:Risedronic Acid; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D000068296:Risedronic Acid; D012968:Etidronic Acid; D019386:Alendronate