Clodronate Osteoporosis

Clodronate is a drug mainly used against cancer-induced bone disease. But it appears to have a number of positive advantages for use in the treatment of general bone loss.

• First it appears to be both effective and has low toxicity.
• Second aspect it can be administered in various ways while other approved bisphosphonates such as Aclasta, Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax, Minodronate, Reclast, Zometa have only one way for each to be administered. A third positive characteristic drug is that it does not need to be administered in a single continuous schedule, as with other bisphosphonates. Instead this drug can be used in several different schedules for administration.
• Third, it appears that the efficacy of the drug does not seem to depend on HOW it is administered but rather upon the schedule of administration.
• Fourth, it seem that this drug is better tolerated than the other bisphosphates.
  

Some Relevant Research articles:

Here are some articles that have been published in research journals:

1. the <i>Drug Des Devel Therapy</i> journal published a study showing that Clondronate is better tollerated than other bisphosphonates.Here is the abstract of that study:

"Bisphosphonates have a long history in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone-related disease. This review focuses on the use of a specific nonaminobisphosphonate, clodronate, which appears to be much better tolerated than other bisphosphonates and free of high-risk contraindications. Specifically, this paper reviews its use in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, taking into account its tolerability profile and recent safety issues arising regarding the use of bisphosphonates." 

2.Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2007 May-Aug; 4(2): 146–155. Had an article about the way the drug Clodronate acts on human osteoclasitc cell proliferation differentiation and function in a bioreversible manner.

3. "CLODRONATE: A Proven Therapy; Battling Back Against Cancer-Induced Bone Metastasis and Pain".               See:http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/284/1/312.full.pdf

Additional comment about Clodronate

This drug has been used mostly by physicians whose patients have bone loss as a result of cancer.

While it is too soon to tell if this drug will be embraced by health care professionals outside the oncology specialty,it is a drug worth noting. Also a number of articles about the drug note that although it is a bisphosphonate,it has NOT been associated with 'sudden fracture' or osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Readers should remember that reports of these negative side effects with other bisphosphonates did not become prevalent until patients were using their prescribed medication for some years. This drug is relatively new for use for Osteoporosis or Osteopenia in the general population. We need to track whether negative side effects grow over time. Still readers might want to ask their physicians about this drug.

If you wish to read about other Osteoporosis or Osteopenia pharmaceutical drugs, click on Osteopenia Medications

If you would like to find out about some some of the non-pharmaceutical treatments of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia, click on: Natural treatments for Osteopenia, Osteoporosis

Click here to: Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter.

HOME