US Pharm. 2014;39(2):14.
Chicago, IL—New research from the Loyola University Health System amends the recommendations regarding drug holidays for treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates. While the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends a break from the use of bisphosphonates after about 5 years of bone density stability if osteoporosis is moderate and after 10 years if fracture risk is high, findings recently published in the journal Endocrine Practice show that patients should resume treatment if they develop a fracture, have a decline in bone strength, or have an early rise in signs indicative of increased fracture risk. Researchers also discovered that elderly patients and those with very low bone strength should be closely followed during a break from bisphosphonate therapy.
To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
