Alendronic acid or alendronate sodium is a biphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases. It is marketed alone as well as in combination with vitamin D.
Alendronate inhibits osteoclast mediated bone-resorption. Like all bisphosphonates, it is chemically related to inorganic pyrophosphate, the endogenous regulator of bone turnover. But while pyrophosphate inhibits both osteoclastic bone resorption and the mineralization of the bone newly formed byosteoblasts, alendronate specifically inhibits bone resorption without any effect on mineralization at pharmacologically achievable doses. Its inhibition of bone-resorption is dose-dependent and approximately 1,000 times stronger than the equimolar effect of the first bisphosphonate drug, etidronate. Under therapy, normal bone tissue develops, and alendronate is deposited in the bone-matrix in pharmacologically inactive form. For optimal action, enough calcium and vitamin D are needed in the body in order to promote normal bone development. hypocalcemia should, therefore, be corrected before starting therapy.
Etidronate has the same disadvantage as pyrophosphate in inhibiting mineralization, but all of the potent N-containing bisphosphonates including Alendronate and also risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronate do not.
Alendronic acid is used for
- Prophylaxis and treatment of female osteoporosis
- Treatment of male osteoporosis
- Prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-associated osteoporosis together with supplements of calcium and vitamin D
- Pagets Disease
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