How Do Bisphosphonate Derivatives Work?

Reviewed on 1/10/2022

HOW DO BISPHOSPHONATE DERIVATIVES WORK?

Bisphosphonate derivatives are a class of drugs used to prevent the loss of bone density to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become thin and weak and break easily), osteoporosis in men, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (a type of corticosteroid medication that may cause osteoporosis), and Paget’s disease (a condition in which bones become soft and weak and may be deformed, painful, or easily broken) and to treat high levels of calcium in the blood that may be caused by certain types of cancer.

Bone tissue undergoes constant remodeling and is kept in balance (homeostasis) by osteoblasts (cells that form new bone) and osteoclasts (responsible for bone resorption) activity. Bisphosphonates inhibit the digestion of bone by encouraging osteoclasts to undergo apoptosis (cell death), thereby slowing down bone loss. Bisphosphonate derivatives help reduce the incidence of fractures (hip and vertebral and nonvertebral osteoporosis-related fractures) and are also used with cancer chemotherapy to treat bone problems that may occur with multiple myeloma (cancer that begins in the plasma cells) and other types of cancer (such as breast and lung) that have spread to the bones.

Bisphosphonate derivatives are administered orally as a tablet, a delayed-release tablet, an effervescent tablet (dissolves in water), and a solution (liquid) and intravenously (into a vein).

Bisphosphonate derivatives work in the following ways:

  • Work by slowing down the bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of bone fractures.
  • Increase bone density (thickness).
  • In addition, they help in lowering high blood calcium levels by reducing the amount of calcium released from bones into the blood.

HOW ARE BISPHOSPHONATE DERIVATIVES USED?

Bisphosphonate derivatives are used in conditions such as:

QUESTION

What is another medical term for osteoporosis? See Answer

WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF BISPHOSPHONATE DERIVATIVES?

Some of the common side effects include:

Other rare side effects include:

 

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

WHAT ARE NAMES OF BISPHOSPHONATE DERIVATIVES?

Generic and brand names of bisphosphonate derivatives include:

References
https://reference.medscape.com/drugs/bisphosphonate-derivatives

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2667901/

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-21754/zoledronic-acid-intravenous/details

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605023.html

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7916/etidronate-disodium-oral/details

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682581.html

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605035.html

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601011.html

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1257-7174/alendronate-oral/alendronate-oral/details

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601247.html

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7835-394/risedronate-oral/risedronate-30-mg-oral/details

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