title: Bisphosphonates in the treatment of metabolic bone diseases.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass associated with the deterioration of microarchitecture, due to an imbalance either in high bone resorption or low bone formation or in both, leading to a high risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates are medications which reduce the ability of osteoclasts to induce bone resorption and consequently improve the balance between resorption and formation. There are bisphosphonates approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Administration can be oral (daily, weekly or monthly) or intravenous (quarterly or yearly). These medications are well tolerated and with the correct instructions of administration have a good safety profile. Serious side effects, such as, osteonecrosis of jaw is very rare. Bisphosphonates are the most prescribed medication for the treatment of osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Endocrinologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Henrique Pierotti
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.forename: André Gonçalves da
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Marise
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazaretti-Castro
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates