title: Once-monthly ibandronate.
abstract: Ibandronate is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that has been approved for once-monthly administration in women with post-menopausal osteoporosis. Animal data suggest that the efficacy of the drug is determined by the cumulative dose rather than the frequency of administration. After treatment for 1 year in a large, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, once-monthly ibandronate 150 mg was non-inferior to once-daily ibandronate 2.5 mg in terms of increases in mean lumbar spine (primary endpoint) and hip bone mineral density (BMD). In addition, once-monthly ibandronate 150 mg was significantly more effective than once-daily ibandronate for mean increase from baseline in lumbar spine BMD after 1 and 2 years. In another large, randomized, double-blind trial in women with osteoporosis, both once-daily and intermittent (>2-month between-dose interval [not approved]) ibandronate were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the risk of new vertebral fractures, after treatment for 3 years. Once-daily and intermittent ibandronate also increased mean lumbar spine and hip BMD from baseline by significantly more than placebo. Oral once-monthly, once-daily, and intermittent ibandronate were generally well tolerated. Monthly ibandronate had a similar tolerability profile to once-daily ibandronate. The incidence of adverse events, including gastrointestinal events, with once-daily and intermittent ibandronate did not differ significantly from that with placebo. Significantly more women with osteoporosis preferred once-monthly ibandronate and found it more convenient than once-weekly alendronate, according to data from a 6-month, randomized, open-label, crossover study.
authors.affiliation: Adis International Inc., Yardley, Pennsylvania, USA. demail@adis.com
authors.forename: Toni M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Dando
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noble
mesh_terms: D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid