Isosorbide mononitrate versus alendronate for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness, safety, and affordability of isosorbide mononitrate with alendronate for postmenopausal osteoporosis.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial of 60 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg daily of isosorbide mononitrate or 70 mg weekly of alendronate for 12 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and after 12 months.


RESULTS
Both groups showed significant improvement in BMD. Isosorbide mononitrate yielded a comparable effect to alendronate for BMD and T-score at the end of the follow-up period. For BMD and T score the mean differences between the 2 groups were -0.005 (95% CI, -0.02 to 0.03) and 0.31 (95% CI, -0.03 to 0.64), respectively. A 10.8% and 12.1% change in BMD after 12 months was seen for isosorbide mononitrate and alendronate, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Isosorbide mononitrate is comparable to alendronate. Nitric oxide donors may be an effective and affordable therapy to improve bone mineral density.
Nabhan
Ashraf F
AF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt. ashraf.nabhan@gmail.com
Rabie
Noha H
NH
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D019386:Alendronate / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; C030397:isosorbide-5-mononitrate; D019386:Alendronate