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Thigh Fractures Linked to Long-Term Use of Certain Osteoporosis Drugs
February 23, 2011
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study on February 23, 2011 finding that long-term treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates, a group of drugs that includes Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Atelvia, Boniva, Fosamax, and Fosamax Plus D, increases the risk of rare thigh bone fractures by three times compared to women prescribed the same drugs for less than 100 days. Long-term treatment in the study was defined as continuous use for more than five years.
The researchers concluded:
In summary, our findings provide strong evidence that prolonged bisphosphonate therapy is associated with an increased risk of subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fracture, although the absolute risk of these fractures is low. These findings also highlight the need for a thoughtful assessment of individual risk of fracture when considering extended bisphosphonate therapy and that long-term use of these drugs may warrant reconsideration, especially in patients at relatively low risk of fracture. It may be appropriate to consider a drug holiday for selected patients, particularly as the cumulative duration of bisphosphonate therapy surpasses 5 years.
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