Does the combination of alendronate and parathyroid hormone give a greater benefit than either agent alone in osteoporosis?
In osteoporosis, both the bisphosphonate alendronate and parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH (1-34) ) have been shown to reduce the incidence of fractures. As bisphosphonates and PTH have different mechanisms, it has been proposed that their effects in osteoporosis may be additive. However, a major clinical trial of PTH (1-84) and alendronate in postmenopausal women demonstrated that their effects were not additive. A further trial in men with osteoporosis showed that alendronate impaired the ability of PTH (1-34) to increase bone mineral density. The combination of alendronate and PTH does not have greater benefit than either agent alone, and may even be detrimental, thus should not be used.
Doggrell
Sheila A
SA
Doggrell Biomedical Communications, Auckland, New Zealand. s_doggrell@yahoo.com
D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D019386:Alendronate