Health
FDA approves once-yearly osteoporosis drug
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 10, 2007
The Food and Drug Administration last month approved Reclast, an annual intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid, for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Other medications for this condition need to be taken daily, weekly or monthly. The expectation is that less-frequent dosing will translate into more women with bone thinning being able to reduce their fracture risk.
"Reclast has shown significant efficacy in protecting women against fractures in all the common osteoporotic fracture sites, while demonstrating a favorable safety profile," said James Shannon, MD, global head of development at the drug's manufacturer, Novartis Pharma AG. "It is our hope that this innovative once-yearly dosing regimen will have a positive impact on the management of this potentially devastating condition."
The drug was previously approved to treat Paget's disease, and research is ongoing into its use for osteoporosis in men or osteoporosis caused by corticosteroid use.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/09/10/hlbf0910.htm.