COMPARATIVE CLINICAL-PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC USE OF BISPHOSPHONATES IN METABOLIC BONE-DISEASES

The bisphosphonates are a class of synthetic compounds used in the tre atment of various metabolic bone diseases, including hypercalcaemia of malignancy, Paget's disease, postmenopausal osteoporosis and corticos teroid-induced bone loss. Although there have been numerous studies co mparing first, second and third generation bisphosphonates with placeb o, there has been a paucity of comparative research investigating the effectiveness of these substances with other pharmacological agents. S till, the available evidence indicates that the bisphosphonates are we ll tolerated and effective therapeutic agents for various metabolic bo ne diseases. It seems certain that within the next 5 years, this class of drugs will emerge as one of the foremost options for treating Page t's disease and osteoporosis.