[Efficacy and safety of long-term bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis.]

Bisphosphonates can be administered by various ways, and number of patient under bisphosphonate treatment for longer periods is increasing. As bisphosphonates remain inside body for long period, and continue to suppress bone resorption, careful observation is required to these patients. Recent reports show 5-10 year-treatment is safe and keep reduction of the fracture risk without increase of the adverse effects. On the other hand, interruption of the treatment of 2-5 years does not reduce the effectiveness for bone turnover, bone mineral density, and/or fractures. Therefore, bisphosphonate treatment can be interrupted after longer periods of treatment except patients with high fracture risks. We need more scientific date for the prevention of atypical fracture, and reasonable levels of bone turnover and periods of the suppression.