osteo/ medication once a year?

[Guest guest]

For Strong Bones, Take Yearly

If you could stave off osteoporosis ­ the brittle

bone disease associated with aging ­ by taking

medication once a day, once a week or once a year,

which would you choose? That's why there's

excitement about a report in the Feb. 28 issue of

the New England Journal of Medicine, noting

favorable findings from an osteoporosis trial

involving intravenous infusions ­ months or even a

year apart ­ of zoledronic acid in post-menopausal

women.

For the 351 women in 10 countries who took part,

bone mineral density results were comparable

regardless of whether they took the once-a-year IV

of zoledronic acid or daily or weekly doses of

other bisphosphonates, which are commonly used to

treat osteoporosis. Researchers said

zoledronic acid was generally well tolerated,

although some women experienced muscle pain and

fever. Intravenous dosing bypassed stomach

irritation ­ a problem for many who take oral

bisphosphonates.

Women typically are more susceptible than men to

osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis

Foundation estimates that 44 million Americans age

50 and older are at risk for osteoporosis and

low bone mass. Fosamax leads a small group of

marketed drugs that slow bone loss. Another drug,

Forteo, which is awaiting approval by the Food and

Drug Administration (FDA), stimulates bone

growth.

The study was underwritten by Novartis

Pharmaceuticals, which has received FDA approval to use

zoledronic acid ­ marketed under the brand name

Zometa and given in a different dose ­ in cancer

treatments. In January the company launched a

three-year osteoporosis trial involving 7,400 women

ages 55 to 90, said company spokesman Moran.

The company says patients will find it easier

to comply with an annual IV in a doctor's office

rather than a daily or weekly pill regimen.