Treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates.

Several bisphosphonates are effective for preventing bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency, glucocorticoid treatment, and immobilization, and for at least partially reversing bone loss in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and steroid-induced osteoporosis. The most promising of these agents are etidronate, alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate. These drugs should have an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; however, more research is needed regarding optimal doses and regimens (continuous versus intermittent, oral versus parenteral), comparisons with other agents, and their use in combination with other agents.