Bisphosphonates often cause bone problems in the jaw - osteonecrosis - evidenced by two recent studies. Article posted February 25, 2011
February 25, 2011: Source: Medscape
Two recent studies show that bisphosphonates can cause bone problems in the jaw. And this applies to all forms of bisphosphonates, both which are given intravenously, such as Zometa - zoledronic acid and APD - pamidronate, but also for the orally administered bisphosphonates. Medscape describes in detail the study, click here before . And this is an explanation of the results from the abstract:
This larger of the two studies led by Andrei Barasch, DMD, MDSC, FAAHD, from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Investigated 191 ONJ cases (154 [80%] in cancer patients) and 573 matched control subjects from 119 dental practices in the United States.
That team found this bisphosphonates use was strongly-associated with ONJ, with an odds ratio of 299.5 and 12.2 for intravenous drugs and for oral drugs.
Also That They Calculated Using bisphosphonates for less Than 2 years was associated with a 10-fold risk for ONJ; use for more Than 2 Years That Nearly quadrupled risk.
"This case-control study, Conducted in a broad cross-section or dental practices, confirming an elevated risk for ONJ among Patients Treated with bisphosphonates, with a large effect in the range suggestive of a causal link," the team concludes.
All Formulations Were associated with ONJ and bisphosphonates, with the exception of oral Etidronate - but this drug had only 3 Used by Participants in the study, the researchers note.
A Majority (83%) or the people with ONJ had bisphosphonates Used: 48% Used intravenous zolendronic acid, 23% intravenous pamidronate Used, Used oral alendronate 38%, 5% Used oral ibandronate, and risedronate oral Used 8%.
Developing the risk of ONJ was higher for the more potent bisphosphonates, intravenous Such As zolendronic acid and pamidronate (Both Indicated for use in cancer patients), but the risk was there for Weaker Oral Formulations Also, Such As alendronate (Which are Used for osteoporosis ).
This significant association Between the less potent bisphosphonates and ONJ confirm previous reports, and "has significant clinical Implications, since millions have leg thesis Treated with drugs," the researchers note. Read more >>>>>




