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Australian Prescriber Vol. 23 No. 6 2000

The role of bisphosphonates in osteoporosis

As we get older our bones contain less calcium. Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) is common in older people, especially women after they stop having periods. Older people can help reduce their risk for osteoporosis by taking regular exercise and eating food which contains calcium. Dairy products contain a lot of calcium.

If diet and exercise do not prevent osteoporosis, it can be treated with medicines such as the bisphosphonates. The bisphosphonates slow the loss of bone and make the bones more dense. This may prevent the bones breaking if the old person has a fall.

The bisphosphonate tablets may irritate the gullet. They should be taken at least half an hour before a meal. The patient should not lie down for at least an hour after taking the tablets.

The bisphosphonates may take many months to have their full effect. To see if their treatment is working, patients may need to have their bone density measured. This test is often done using special x-rays.