Once-yearly zoledronic acid in the prevention of osteoporotic bone fractures in postmenopausal women.
Zoledronic acid is a nitrogen-containing, third-generation bisphosphonate that has recently been approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis as an annual intravenous infusion. Zoledronic acid is an antiresorptive agent which has a high affinity for mineralized bone and especially for sites of high bone turnover. Zoledronic acid is excreted by the kidney without further metabolism. Zoledronic acid administered as a 5 mg intravenous infusion annually increases bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck by 6.7% and 5.1% respectively and reduces the incidence of new vertebral and hip fractures by 70% and 41% respectively in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Most common side effects are post-dose fever, flu-like symptoms, myalgia, arthralgia, and headache which usually occur in the first 3 days after infusion and are self-limited. Rare adverse effects include renal dysfunction, hypocalcemia, atrial fibrillation, and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Lambrinoudaki
Irene
I
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Greece. ilambrinoudaki@hotmail.com
Vlachou
Sophia
S
Galapi
Fotini
F
Papadimitriou
Dimitra
D
Papadias
K
K
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017698:Postmenopause; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid