New dosing options in osteoporosis treatment: clinical evidence on Risedronate 75mg monthly treatment.

Prevention of osteoporosis fractures is currently possible by implementing lifestyle changes as well as with effective treatments. The role played by different agents is particularly important in reducing the risk of hip fracture, which is certainly the most severe consequence of osteoporosis in terms of deteriorating quality of life for the patient, reduced life expectancy and health care costs.In order to choose an adequate treatment, therapies with well-established efficacy should be considered. In addition, for medical treatment success, patient adherence is essential. Recently published clinical data show that risedronate 75mg, administered monthly on two consecutive days, equivalent to risedronate 5 mg daily in terms of BMD changes, bone turnover markers and incidence of new vertebral fractures, and has an equivalent safety profile. The new risedronate 75mg monthly formulation, administered on two consecutive days, is therefore the first and only oral monthly therapy with proven efficacy in reducing the risk of vertebral, non-vertebral and hip fractures, and a safety profile confirmed by Phase III trials and 8-year post-marketing experience of risedronate. Monthly dosing may offer the advantage of improving patient compliance and persistence on the treatment, thanks to the less frequent administration.