Bisphosphonates Health Article

Definition

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that lower calcium levels in the blood and can slow down bone loss that results from cancer or other causes.

Purpose

Bisphosphonates are used to slow down the loss of bone that results from multiple myeloma or from breast cancer that has spread, or metastasized, to the bones. These cancers cause bone to dissolve, in a process called resorption. This results in bone weakness and fractures. Bisphosphonates can prevent the holes that form in the bones from multiple myeloma. They can ease bone pain caused by cancer. They also help to prevent bone fractures and compression of the spinal cord, as well as the high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) caused by bone loss. Hypercalcemia can cause kidney failure and death. Bisphosphonates may help prevent breast cancer from spreading to the bones and other organs. Clinical trials are evaluating bisphosphonates for the treatment of bone metastases from other types of cancers.

Description

The most commonly used bisphosphonates are pamidronate disodium (APD; brand name Aredia) and etidronate disodium (EHDP; brand name Didronel). Both drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These drugs are classified as antihypercalcemics, meaning that they can lower blood calcium levels. They also are classified as bone resorption inhibitors, meaning that they can prevent bone from dissolving.

Other bisphosphonates include cladronate and alendronate. Cladronate is used less frequently because it is not completely absorbed by the digestive system and can cause stomach upset. Zoledronate and ibandronate are new, much more powerful bisphosphonates that are being evaluated, but are not yet available for routine use.

For cancer treatment, bisphosphonates may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Treatment with bisphosphonates may be accompanied by the injection of fluids into a vein (intravenous) so that large amounts of urine are excreted.

Recommended dosage

Pamidronate and etidronate are solutions that are injected into a vein. For the treatment of hypercalcemia, 30-90 mg of pamidronate are injected over a period of 2-24 hours. For the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer, 90 mg are injected over a two-hour period every 3-4 weeks. For multiple myeloma, the 90-mg injection is over a four-hour period once a month. The usual dosage of etidronate is 7.5 mg per kg (3.4 mg per pound) of body weight, injected over two hours, for two or more days. The treatment may be repeated after at least one week off.

Etidronate also may be taken as a tablet, with water, on an empty stomach. The usual dosage for the treatment of hypercalcemia is 20 mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight per day for 30 days. The maximum length of treatment usually is 90 days, but the treatment may be repeated after at least 90 days off of the drug. Cladronate is also taken as a pill.

Precautions

The amount of calcium in the diet may be important when taking bisphosphonates. Too much calcium in the diet may prevent absorption of oral etidronate. However, it is important to consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

Other medical problems that may affect the use of bisphosphonates include:

• heart problems that may be aggravated by fluid retention
• kidney disease that could result in high levels of bisphosphonate in the blood
• intestinal problems or bowel disease, because etidronate can cause diarrhea
• bone fractures, particularly of the arm or leg, since etidronate can increase the risk of fractures

Bisphosphonates may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Children may experience temporary changes in bone growth while being treated with etidronate and they should not take pamidronate. Older individuals may suffer from fluid retention if bisphosphonates are given with large amounts of fluid. Bisphosphonates should not be taken during pregnancy. It is not known whether these drugs pass into breast milk.