title: A review of bone pain relief with ibandronate and other bisphosphonates in disorders of increased bone turnover.
abstract: Several disorders of increased bone turnover and low bone mineral density (BMD) are associated with severe pain that is refractory to treatment with conventional and even opioid analgesics. Because of their ability to effectively improve the underlying pathogenesis of these disorders (i.e., reduce bone resorption and increase BMD), bisphosphonates are considered part of the palliative care of malignant bone-related pain and also appear to have some analgesic efficacy in other, non-malignant conditions. Ibandronate, a potent, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that can be given orally and intravenously, has demonstrated robust effects in relieving the pain associated with several malignant disorders. Unlike other available intravenous (i.v.) bisphosphonates, i.v. ibandronate is not associated with renal side effects, even at high doses such as 6 mg every 3 weeks. In addition, oral ibandronate (50 mg daily) is currently the only oral bisphosphonate proven to reduce and maintain bone pain scores below baseline for 2 years in patients with metastatic bone disease. Lower dose, less intense dosing regimens of ibandronate relieve bone pain in non-malignant conditions: i.v. ibandronate (2 mg every 3 months with or without an initial 4 mg injection) provides pain relief for patients with corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis, localised transient osteoporosis (bone marrow oedema) and sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis. Both oral and i.v. ibandronate are well tolerated. In conclusion, ibandronate offers an effective and convenient choice for the relief of bone pain in a wide variety of underlying bone conditions.
authors: Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum Leverkusen, University of Cologne, Leverkusen, Germany. ringe@klinikum-lev.de
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Ringe
authors: J-J
authors: JJ
authors: Body
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid