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A new study of two drugs used to treat osteoporosis has found that one of them is associated with a significant improvement in bone structure in postmenopausal women compared to the other.
The head-to-head study found that Protelos (strontium ranelate) increased bone thickness, volume and density to a much greater extent than bisphosphonate alendronate over a one-year period.
The two drugs act in different ways, with alendronate inhibiting just the resorption of bone, while Protelos simultaneously increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption.
Lead researcher Professor Rene Rizzoli, of the Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland, said: “These results are highly interesting and important news for osteoporosis patients.
“Cortical thickness is an important determinant of the strength of long bones and in the prevention of hip fractures. Bone volume and trabecular thickness relate more closely to trabecular bone, the type of bone found in the vertebra.
“Our study suggests that with strontium ranelate bone may be as good if not superior as with alendronate in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.”
The results of the study have been published in Osteoporosis International, the official journal of the World Congress of Osteoporosis.
Protelos is licensed for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures, and is also sold under the trade names Protos, Osseor, Bivalos, Protaxos and Ossum.
Copyright Press Association 2008
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“You are so fortunate in Europe to have strontium ranelate trialed and approved for use. The USA is doing nothing to gain approval of this therapy.” – Judy, Michigan, USA
