Efficacy and safety of risedronate sodium in treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of risedronate sodium in treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, one-year randomized, double blind clinical trial was performed among 54 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The changes were compared in bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers and adverse events after 12 months oral administration of risedronate sodium. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptionmetry (DEXA) and bone turnover marker was detected. The results showed that there was a significant increase in BMD of the lumbar spine (3.29%±1.18%, 4.51%±1.64% respectively) after 6 and 12 months in the risedronate treatment group versus placebo control group (−0.62%±0.24%, 0.48%±0.18% respectively). Bone turnover was decreased to a stable nadir over 6 and 12 months for resorption markers [N-telopeptide (NTx),P<0.05] and over 12 months for formation marker (ALP,P<0.05; BGP,P<0.05). The safety profile of risedronate sodium was similar to that of placebo. There were no trends toward increased frequency of any adverse experience except for gastrointestinal symptoms (7.1%), rash (7.1%) and hematuria (3.6%), which were usually mild, transient, and resolved with continued treatment. It was concluded that risedronate was an efficacious and safe drug in treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.