Bisphosphonate

Not to be confused with Biphosphate.
"Diphosphonate" redirects here; not to be confused with Diphosphate.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone density. They are the most commonly prescribed to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases.

Specifically, there is evidence that shows they may reduce the risk of fracture in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

Bone tissue undergoes constant remodeling and is kept in balance (homeostasis) by osteoblasts creating bone and osteoclasts destroying bone. Bisphosphonates inhibit the digestion of bone by encouraging osteoclasts to undergo apoptosis, or cell death, thereby slowing bone loss.

The uses of bisphosphonates include the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, bone metastasis (with or without hypercalcemia), multiple myeloma, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia, and other conditions that exhibit bone fragility.

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