Ibandronate sodium

Ibandronate sodium was approved in May 2003 for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Its mechanism of action is identical to the other bisphosphonate agents. Administered daily (2.5 mg), ibandronate has been clinically shown to reduce the risk of vertebral fractures by 62% (35). If administered on an intermittent basis (20 mg), it reduces the risk of vertebral fractures by 50%. Ibandronate (2.5 mg daily), along with 500 mg of supplemental calcium, has been clinically shown to increase BMD in the hip (1.8%), femoral neck (2.0%), and lumbar spine (3.1%). The 150-mg formulation approved in March 2005 represents the first oral therapy for a chronic disease to be administered once monthly. 

The treatment of Mrs CR s hypercalcaemia is urgent and requires immediate administration of bisphosphonate therapy, the first choice therapy in cases of severe hypercalcaemia. Currently four bisphosphonates are available in the UK for the treatment of malignant hypercalcaemia - sodium clodronate, disodium pamidronate, zoledronic acid and ibandronic acid. The choice of which bisphosphonate to recommend will depend on which one is on the local hospital formulary. 

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