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Review
. 2014 Jul;5(3):111-4.
doi: 10.4103/0976-7800.141186.

Bisphosphonate drug holidays: Can we recommend currently?

Vishal R Tandon  1 , Sudhaa Sharma  2 , Annil Mahajan  3
Affiliations
Review

Bisphosphonate drug holidays: Can we recommend currently?

Vishal R Tandon et al. J Midlife Health. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

Bisphosphonates (BP) are the mainstay of treatment for osteoporosis. Subtrochanteric or diaphyseal fractures have been reported with long term use of BP, which raised world-wide debate on two aspects, i.e., for how long the BP is to be given and potential advantages/role of BP drug holidays. BP accumulates in bone with some persistent protective effect after therapy is stopped endorses the concept. Theoretically, a drug holiday may be a considerable option to decrease risks of BP, which continuing the protection from fractures but the level of evidence and data supporting the concept of drug holidays is a week. Hence, no specific recommendations are available on BP drug holidays from major available treatment guidelines on postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hence, before it is recommended it requires more robust research in this field.

Keywords: Bisphosphonates; drug holidays; osteoporosis; postmenopausal.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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