Alendronate sodium

개요Alendronate sodium is the fourth bisphosphonate to reach the market for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of bone resorption. They reduce pain and complications due to bone metastases, are effective in Paget's disease and in increasing bone mineral density. These agents bind tightly to hydroxyapatite crystals and are retained on bone resorption surfaces. Local release of the bisphosphonates occurs by acidification during the process of the bone resorption to impair the osteoclasts' ability to resorb bone. Alendronate is more potent than other bisphosphonates such as clodronate, pamidronate, and etidronate and is reported to have no deleterious effects on bone. It has also been shown to reduce hypercalcemia in cancer patients.