title: Bisphosphonates for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
abstract: Bisphosphonates are effective in reducing bone turnover, increasing BMD and reducing fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The licensed bisphosphonates exhibit some differences in potency and speed of onset and offset of action. These differences mean that different agents may be more advantageous in different situations. Uncertainties still exist around the optimum duration of treatment and treatment holidays, how best to use bisphosphonates with anabolic treatments, and the benefits of treatment in patients who do not have a BMD T-score below -2.5.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit for Bone Disease, Centre for Biomedical Research, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK. r.eastell@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eastell
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Nelson B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Ethel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siris
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004164:Diphosphonates