How does Reclast compare with the oral forms of osteoporosis treatment?
The oral bisphosphonates have been used for a long time for osteoporosis, and we know a lot more about their safety profiles and efficacy. When a new drug becomes available, you always have to ask what this new treatment offers over the old treatments. Clearly the once-a-year administration of Reclast for osteoporosis is an advantage, but there is the potential for side effects like atrial fibrillation that we don t see with oral osteoporosis therapy. I wouldn t try Reclast instead of other osteoporosis medications. Until more safety data are available, I will reserve Reclast for osteoporosis patients who cannot tolerate oral therapy. Who will benefit from Reclast? What Reclast offers is an alternate way of getting bisphosphonates to the small minority of people who have unique gastrointestinal conditions that prevent them from taking the oral osteoporosis medications. If wider use shows that the atrial fibrillation is not a significant issue, then more patients may be able to try Recl
