Full length parathyroid hormone (1-84) in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To review the pharmacological properties and the available clinical data of full length parathyroid hormone (PTH) in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

SOURCES

A MEDLINE search was completed, together with a review of information obtained from the manufacturer and from the medicine regulatory agencies. STUDY AND DATA SELECTION: Studies were selected according to relevance and availability. Relevant information (design, objectives, patients' characteristics, outcomes, adverse events, dosing, etc) was analyzed.

RESULTS

Different studies have shown that, when administered intermittently as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, PTH increases bone mineral density (BMD) and prevents vertebral fractures. On completion of PTH therapy (up to 24 months), there is evidence that sequential treatment with alendronate is associated with a therapeutic benefit in terms of increase in BMD. Further trials are necessary to determine long-term safety and the role of PTH in combination with other treatments for osteoporosis and the effect of repeated cycles of PTH followed by an anti-catabolic agent. There are currently no completed comparative trials with other osteoporosis treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Full length PTH, given intermittently as an abdominal subcutaneous injection, appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment option for high risk osteoporosis. More data are needed to determine its specific role in osteoporosis treatment.