Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass (bone thinning) that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women are affected by this condition. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.
- Age-related bone loss
- Smoking
- Alcohol abuse
- Long-term corticosteroid use
- Certain diseases.
It is also thought that race and ethnicity may play a role in developing osteoporosis, but more research is needed to determine the connection.
Reclast is approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with just a single dose per year. Reclast is not approved to prevent osteoporosis.
Bisphosphonates such as Reclast help slow down the rate at which bones break down. Because the bone is broken down more slowly, it is then also rebuilt more slowly (and more normally).
Reclast is not approved for use in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children. Reclast seems to increase the risk of
bone cancer in rats, and it is thought that children may be at higher risk for developing bone cancer due to Reclast, since their bones are still growing.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Reclast for something other than Paget's disease of the bone. Another form of
zoledronic acid (
Zometa®) is approved in the treatment of bone cancers,
multiple myelomas, and high blood calcium due to cancer. Reclast is not approved for these uses, however. Using Reclast to prevent (not treat) osteoporosis is an
off-label use of the drug. Also, using Reclast to treat or prevent osteoporosis in men or premenopausal women is considered to be an off-label use.
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