[Place of bisphosphonates in the primary andsecondary prophylaxis of osteoporotic fractures: the role of parenteral therapy--proposal to modify the standards of treatment].

Abstract

Oral bisphosphonates are currently known as medicines of a first choice in the treatment of osteoporosis and in preventing age-related fractures. However, despite their advantages, these medicines are not free of limitations. The most significant one is a complicated way of tablet administration, requiring from patients to remain upright position and to take a tablet before a meal. This may make the administration of other, chronic medicines, such as thyroid hormones, more difficult. Complications of the therapy include dyspepsia and gastrointestinal disorders. Approximately 48% of individuals taking bisphosphonates once a week resign from therapy within one year from the beginning of the treatment. There is a group of individuals who cannot take bisphosphonates orally at all. The alternative here is an intravenous injection. Therefore, there is a need for modifications of the existing therapeutic standards for osteoporosis. It is also necessary to emphasise the significance of intravenous medicines in the treatment of this disease.