New data suggests that zoledronic acid increases bone density.(Brief Article)

2002 APR 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrates that the Novartis drug zoledronic acid, an intravenous bisphosphonate, significantly increases bone density in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This is the first time that a bisphosphonate, given at intervals of up to 1 year between doses, has produced sustained suppression of bone turnover and an increase in bone mineral density in the spine and hip as great as that seen with oral daily or weekly dosing of other bisphosphonates.

"Oral bisphosphonates, although effective in treating osteoporosis, have complicated dosing requirements that can lead to compliance problems. Additionally, oral bisphosphonates can cause gastrointestinal side effects," said Ian R. Reid, MD, professor of medicine and endocrinology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and principal investigator of the study. "An effective therapy that offers the convenience of once-yearly intravenous dosing would represent a major advance in osteoporosis treatment."

This dose-finding study, conducted in 351 women at 25 centers in 10 countries, showed treatment with zoledronic acid resulted in bone mineral density increases similar to those ...