• Postmenopausal osteoporosis:
    • Treatment: PO 70mg weekly
    • Prevention: PO 35mg weekly
  • Male osteoporosis:
    • PO 70mg weekly
  • Steroid-induced osteoporosis:
    • PO 5mg OD
    • For patients on >7.5 mg/day prednisone or equivalent
  • Paget bone disease:
    • PO 40mg OD *6/12

Tablet: 70mg

  • Give with water, 30min before first food/drink/medication
  • Avoid lying down up to 30min after taking medication
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplementation recommended if inadequate dietary intake
  • Periodically reassess need for treatment
  • Consider discontinuing after 3-5 years in low-risk patients

Bisphosphonate

It binds to hydroxyapatite crystals in bone, inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. It also decreases mineral release and collagen or matrix breakdown in bone

  • Abdominal pain
  • Acid regurgitation
  • Nausea
  • Dyspepsia
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Flatulence
  • Photosensitivity
  • Hypersensitivity to components
  • Hypocalcemia
  • CrCl <35
  • Abnormal esophageal peristalsis
  • Esophageal stricture
  • Achalasia
  • Aspiration risk
  • Patients unable to remain upright for 30min
  • Recombinant human parathyroid hormone

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category C
Breastfeeding Unknown; Not recommended
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Bongard 70mg Tablet 4’s Pharmevo Harley’s Ltd
Fosamax 70mg Tablet 4’s Merck Ltd Merck Ltd
Osteofos 70mg Tablet 10’s La Pristine Bioceuticals Imperial Managed
Reventa 70mg Tablet 4’s Getz Pharma Surgipharm Ltd