What is Fosamax? What is Zometa? How are they dangerous?
June 1, 2006 21:19

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis as well as prevent the metastasis of certain cancers into the bones. These drugs lessen the body's ability to resorb bone, a process that naturally takes place in order to allow new bone cells (called "osteoblasts") — to occupy the skeletal structure. The names and manufacturers of the most popular bisphosphonate drugs include the following: Zometa (generic name: Zoledronate) and Aredia (Pamidronate) are manufactured by Novartis Pharma, Fosamax (Alendronate) is from Merck, Actonel (Risedronate) and Didronel (etidronate) are made by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. Two of the drugs (Zometa, Aredia) are given by IV. Fosamax and Actonel are oral bisphosphonates and are often used in patients with cancer. There are other bisphosphonate drugs.

How do we make new bone? What happens to old bone? How does the body repair bone?
June 3, 2006 21:22

In order to understand how a bisphosphonate works, one must next understand the process by which the body makes new bone and how it removes old bone. The process takes place with a third type of bone cell known as an osteoclast. Osteoclasts are cells that allow the body to resorb (take away) the hard calcium structure that houses the mature (and dying) osteocyte.