What are bisphosphonates?
Bisphosphonates, also known as bone-sparing drugs, are commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis and cancer that has spread to the bone. Some bisphosphonates are taken orally (such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) to help prevent or treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of the bone. Others, such as Aredia, Bonefos, Didronel or Zometa, are administered intravenously (injected into a vein) as part of cancer therapy to reduce bone pain and hypercalcemia of malignancy (abnormally high calcium levels in the blood), associated with metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. In rare instances, some individuals receiving intravenous bisphosphonates for cancer treatment have developed osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare but serious condition that involves severe loss, or destruction, of the jawbone. The risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients using oral bisphosphonates following dental surgery appears to be very low.
