Effects of antifracture drugs in postmenopausal, male and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis – usefulness of alendronate and risedronate

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of antifracture drugs on postmenopausal, male and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, focussing on the efficacy and safety of alendronate and risedronate. A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed for strictly conducted systematic reviews published from 1995 to present with homogeneity, meta-analyses with homogeneity, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a narrow confidence interval. According to the results of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses, alendronate and risedronate are useful for the prevention of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The results of RCTs have shown the antifracture efficacy of raloxifene and ibandronate against vertebral fractures and that of strontium and parathyroid hormone against vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In addition, the long-term safety of alendronate, risedronate and raloxifene has been established. On the other hand, RCTs have shown that, only alendronate prevents vertebral fractures in men with osteoporosis, and that alendronate and risedronate can prevent vertebral fractures in patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment. There seems to be less evidence of the antifracture efficacy of the drugs in male and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. They have limitations related to long-term compliance, gastrointestinal intolerance and poor and variable absorption form gastrointestinal tract. Thus, intermittent intravenous administration of bisphosphonates such as ibandronate and zoledronate or subcutaneous administration of denosumab might address some of these problems, although the antifracture efficacy of these drugs needs be established. However, antifracture efficacy and long-term safety are important points in the choice of drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. Thus, the evidence derived from the literature, based on strict evidence-based medicine guidelines, suggests the antifracture efficacy and safety of alendronate in postmenopausal, male and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and those of risedronate in postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.