Revolutionary Drug Fights Osteoporosis

A revolutionary bone-building drug dramatically reduced hip, vertebra and other fractures in women with osteoporosis according to a three-year international study. Currently only approved for cancer patients, Zometa (zoledronic acid) may be the miracle drug osteoporosis patients have been waiting for. Novartis Pharmaceuticals is hoping for FDA approval to start marketing the drug for osteoporosis under the name Reclast later this year.

In the recently completed study, the drug reduced overall fracture risk by 33%, hip fracture by 41% and vertebral fracture by 77%. The study was published in this month's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Reclast is administered as a single 15-minute intravenous dose once a year. Currently, bisphosphonates like Zometa and Fosamax are the most popular and effective drugs used to treat the breakdown of bone caused by osteoporosis. Unfortunately, doctors have found that most patients quit taking the drugs after a short time. Novartis, which sponsored the new study, hopes its annual dose will change that. Like a mammogram, it could become part of a woman's annual physical.

There are some significant risks with the new drug protocol. In the study of 8,000 women, a rare, serious heartbeat irregularity occurred more often in women on the drug than on those taking a placebo. The study was also too small to rule out an increased risk of jawbone deterioration which affects 3% to 10% of cancer patients taking more frequent doses of the drug. However, for those with advanced osteoporosis, the significant benefits may outweigh the risks.