Osteoporosis Treatment: When to Discontinue and When to Re-start.

A number of effective therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis have become available in recent years. However, uncertainty exists regarding their long-term use and effectiveness. Bisphosphonate treatment, unlike hormone replacement, denosumab or teriparatide, is associated with benefits extended even after treatment discontinuation. The extended benefits are most apparent for alendronate (ALN) and zoledronate (ZOL). A drug holiday might be considered in patients at low-moderate risk and who have been fully compliant with treatment, and who have had a response to treatment. In patients at low-moderate risk of fractures the decision to consider a drug holiday should be balanced also with the safety profile of each treatment.