Zometa and Aredia
Intravenous Treatment of osteoporosis
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis it may be necessary for you to take osteoporosis pharmaceuticals such as bisphosphonates to combat the condition, these are usually taken orally under the common names of Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel. However, many people have problems taking osteoporosis bisphosphonate drugs orally and they may lead to problems with the esophagus. It may therefore be necessary to take intravenous osteoporosis treatment. There are two main intravenous treatments that are used to combat osteoporosis: these go under the names of Zometa and Aredia.
Zoledronic Acid - Zometa
Zoledronic acid is manufactured by Novartis and released under the name of Zometa. It is taken as a single dose of 4mg. Zometa has been demonstrated to increase the bone mineral density and to suppress bone resorption in post-menopausal women. It was originally created for people with multiple myeloma and malignant hypercalcemia, and has recently been assessed by the FDA for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Pamidronate - Aredia
Pamidronate is manufactured by Novartis as the drug Aredia. It is usually taken at an initial dose of 90mg, and followed up by supplement ally 30mg doses every three months. Although used to treat osteoporosis, it is used 'off label' and if it is truly able to reduce the risk of osteoporosis fractures is unproven.
ReferencesMayes (2007) Review of post menopausal osteoporosis pharmacology. Nutr. Clin. Prac. 22:3: 276 to 285
Rosen (2005). Clinical practice: post menopausal osteoporosis. Engl J Med. :595 to 603.
Mauck and Clarke (2006). Diagnosis, screening, prevention, and of osteoporosis. Clin Proc. :662 to 672