Intravenous zoledronic acid for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease characterized by loss of bone mineral density, progression to diminished skeletal integrity, extensive bone fragility, and an increased risk of fracture. Morbidity and mortality from osteoporosis are significant, and the public health costs are substantial. Although safe and effective therapy is available, the disease remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Oral bisphosphonates such as alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate are the current first-line therapy; however, adherence to treatment is suboptimal, largely because the treatment regimen is difficult to follow. The bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (zoledronate), 5 mg, is administered as an annual 15-minute intravenous infusion for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, assuring treatment compliance and persistence over the 12-month dosing interval. The drug is safe and generally well tolerated, and provides sustained anti-fracture efficacy at all relevant skeletal sites. Zoledronic acid has the potential to improve clinical outcomes by reducing the risk of fracture in patients with osteoporosis.