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ENDO: Once Weekly Alendronate As Effectively As Daily Treatment For Osteoporosis By Emma Patten-Hitt Special to DG News DENVER, CO -- June 20, 2001 -- Once weekly administration of alendronate (Fosamax, Merck Pharmaceuticals) increases bone mineral density as much as a daily dose, but with fewer upper gastrointestinal side effects, according to study results. Dr. Sunil J. Wimalawansa with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, reported the findings today at 83rd Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO) in Denver, Colorado. Because of difficulties in complying with the daily routine of taking the drug and the unpleasant upper gastrointestinal effects, patients show poor compliance with alendronate therapy, the researchers reported. They enrolled 180 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A group of 89 women received alendronate once a week (60 mg) for two years. At the end of two years, they were given the choice of continuing the same dose of alendronate (60 mg once a week) or taking a single tablet of 40 mg of alendronate once a week for an additional two years. The remaining 91 patients received the standard recommended dose of alendronate, 10 mg daily for four years. Over the course of four years, bone density increased in both sets of patients, as did biochemical markers indicating bone strength. However, patient compliance was 88 percent in the once-a-week regimen and 72 percent in the daily regimen. In the once-a-week treatment group, 8 percent of patients discontinued this therapy, whereas 14 percent of patients discontinued in the once daily treatment group. "This is the first clinical study evaluating the efficacy of infrequent use of alendronate," the researchers noted. "This four year clinical study gives an insight into a highly effective, safe and economical way of administering alendronate," they added. They also predict that these findings will extend to other bisphosphonate drugs, such as risendronate, in patients with established osteoporosis. Related Links: Fosamax (alendronate sodium) and Merck & Co., Inc. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version