| DRUG |
TYPE | DOSAGE | FDA INDICATION | COMMENTS |
| Etidronate
(Didronel) |
First generation | 400 mg for 2 wksevery 3 months | Labeled inCanada and Europe | Few adverse events |
| Alendronate (Fosamax) | N-containing
2nd generation |
10 mg per
day 5 mg per day |
Treatment
and prevention of PMO and GIO |
Esophagitis/ upper GI events |
| Tiludronate (Skelid) | S-containing | 40 mg per day | Treatment of Paget's disease | No effect on fracture risk |
| Risedronate (Actonel) | N-containing 2nd generation |
5 mg per day | Labeling is pending | GI side effects similar to placebo |
| Pamidronate (Aredia) | N-containing 2nd generation |
40 to 80
mg IV every 4 months |
Hypercalcemia
of malignancy Not labeled for treatment of osteoporosis therapy |
Some systemic effects with IV; none with oral therapy |
| Ibandronate | 2nd generation | 1 mg IVevery 3 months | Not
labeled by FDA; still in phase III trials |
Well tolerated |