Bisphosphonates

Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: B. Catharine Craven | Published: 11 October 2017 | Updated: 14 March 2019

Bisphosphonate medications

are a family of drugs used to prevent the loss of bone mineral density. These drugs work by slowing the breakdown of bone or bone resorption. There are several drugs within this group, including Etidronate (

Didrocal

), Alendronate (

Fosamax

), Risedronate (

Actonel

), Clodronate (

Bonefos

,

Clastion

), and Tiludronate (

Skelid

)

.

These drugs may be taken by mouth or through an intravenous (IV) line.

Bisphosphonate medications are often prescribed early after SCI to prevent declines in bone density during the first year. Research evidence has mostly supported that bisphosphonate medications help to reduce bone mineral density loss in the hip and knee regions during the first year after SCI. These medications appear to be more effective when given earlier after SCI.

Bisphosphonates are also used to treat existing bone loss after SCI. One research study has shown that Alendronate is effective for maintaining or increasing bone mineral density later after SCI.

Despite support from research, there are still many things about the use of bisphosphonates after SCI that we do not know, such as their long-term effects and what the best length of treatment is. Bisphosphonate medications may also have side effects (such as heartburn, stomach upset, racing heart, jaw or thigh pain), drug interactions, and specific instructions for use that should be discussed in detail with your health providers before taking the medications.

For more detailed information about bisphosphonate medications, see SCIRE Professional’s module on Bone Heath.