RESEARCH - IV zoledronic acid effective for bone loss linked with steroid use

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From Medscape Medical News

Laurie Barclay, MD

Zoledronic Acid Infusion Effective for Bone Loss Linked With Glucocorticoid Use

April 20, 2009 — A single 5-mg intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid

was at least as effective and more acceptable to patients than 5 mg of

oral risedronate daily to prevent and treat glucocorticoid-related

bone loss, according to the results of a 1-year, noninferiority,

double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial reported in

the April 10 issue of The Lancet.

" Persistent use of glucocorticoid drugs is associated with bone loss

and increased fracture risk, " write M. Reid, MD, from the

University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, and colleagues

from the HORIZON investigators. " Concurrent oral bisphosphonates

increase bone mineral density and reduce frequency of vertebral

fractures, but are associated with poor compliance and adherence. We

aimed to assess whether one intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid

was non-inferior to daily oral risedronate for prevention and

treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. "

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/701618

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