Osteoporosis is a disease of bone in which bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bon...
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Once a year infusion for osteoporosis
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This will make the news so i wanted to post the details of the study and spark discussion:
1) The May 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reports results from the first big trial looking at fracture reduction in postmenopausual women using the once a year IV infusion of Zometa (a bisphosphonate similar to fosamax or actonel but in Intravenous form) 2) A total of 7765 women were assigned to either once a year infusion of Zometa OR placebo. 3) 3889 patients (mean age, 73 years) received a single 15-minute 5 mg infusion of zoledronic acid and 3876 received placebo at baseline, 12 months, and at 24 months. The patients were followed until 36 months. 4) Treatment with zoledronic acid (Zometa) reduced the risk of VERTEBRAL fracture by 70% during a 3-year period, as compared with placebo 5) Treatment with Zometa once a year reduced the risk of hip fracture by 41%. 6) Zometa was associated with a significant improvement in bone mineral density and bone metabolism markers. 7) Major side effects including change in kidney function were SIMILAR in the two study groups. 8) HOWEVER SERIOUS ATRIAL FIRBRILLATION occurred more frequently in the Zometa group (50 patients vs 20 patients in placebo group) 9) Interpret this remembering that THIS STUDY WAS FUNDED BY NOVARTIS...the Drug company that makes Zometa 10) What could be great about this: If/when insurance companies start to reimburse for this..it would take the work out of the once a week pill AND these numbers for fracture reduction are BETTER than the oral bisphophonates (fosamax/boniva/actonel) Thoughts? Dr O. Posted on 05/04/07, 09:05 pm |
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Hi, Dr. O.,
I know it is common to have the drug company sponsor the tests/trials, but it seems like there is an inherent conflict of interest in this practice. I think, if the data holds, the notion of an infusion treatment would really help a lot of people whom cannot take the pills orally. I am cautiously optimistic about the study and trials. Something to open a dialogue with my primary care physician in the future. If the insurance companies sign on I would definitely ask my doctor about the possibility of switching from Fosamax to an infusion once a year. 
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Hi dr O.
I'm not sure what the generic name is in Britain, but they give me something called APD in infusion form, which during the time I have it done it makes me feel very ill, but I have to admit it does seem to work for a little bit but it can be short lived, I'm not sure I would like to have it more than once a yr.
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hi this treatment is called aclasta here in the U.K. has it been used by men? and with what succsess rate?
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I have taken IV form of Zometa twice. I had no dental work done, but still had pain in my jaw and on 2 occasions my mouth would not open because it was locked by my jaw. Thinking I might have TMJ my dentist examined my mouth and ruled that out. I cannot take any of the oral medications because they irritate my stomach. I cannot afford Forteo even with insurance coverage. I am at a loss - I have severe osteoporosis.
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I'm not sure I like the side effect "Serious Atrial Fibrillation!" This isn't something to sneeze at!! If they're infusing at the office, they'd better have the "paddles" ready!
Otherwise, I think I'll stay with Evista.
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I'm curious... I've seen where so many people have said that they've stopped drugs like Fosamax because of the side effects. With a drug that gives you a years worth in one dose directly into your bloodstream, what do you do if you have a side effect that you don't like. It's not like a pill you can stop taking. You can't stick another needle in and take some Zometa back out once it's in your system.
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Is this the same as IV Reclast? I have had chemotherapy in the past (3 drugs) once a month for a year, also radiation (30 treatments) Have also had a heart attack. Atrial fibrillation & jaw necrosis sound like high risks to take. Would like your input, Dr. O. Thanks.
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Hi you guys
1) Yes Reclast and Zometa are the trade names for ZOLEDRONIC acid.... 2) I understand the concern about side effects being longer lasting with a compound that is longer lasting 3) my advice to patients is this: try the once a week bisphophonate ORAL therapy UNLESS your stomach cant tolerate it...OR the once a month BONIVA 4) Lets leave the Intravenous option for those who cant tolerate the oral forms for some reasone 5) Generally these medications are WELL TOLERATED in my patients Dr O.
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My medical provider referred me to another medical provider 8/07 for a bone scan. I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. The specialist told me about reclast. They were so excited about it. They showed me where it had rebuilt bone, I was impressed. The cost was $1400. for an infusion done once a year. My insurance will only cover Fosamax, otherwise I would be tempted try it. This study was done at a very well respected hospital, (Providence) in the Portland, OR area. I believe they are the ones that do most of bone scans for this area. OHSU may also do them.
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Dr. Orrange,
Its a shame that the Drug Companies continue to market this JUNK. What we need is a natural product that balances your Osteoblast cells and Osteoclast cells as our bodies did at 20 years old. This means you build NEW bone and slow down the absorption of bone. Healthy Osteoblast cells use calcium and vitamin D3 to build NEW bone. Therefore, overtime Osteoporosis is stopped in it tracks. This product is available today its called OSTEODENX. Developed by Dr. Narain Naidu and distributed by NIKKEN Corp. Medical Journals will be publishing acticles on this product very soon. This is the real answer to Osteoporosis NOT Biphosphonate drugs.
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