Bisphosphonates - what is it? Bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis

The musculoskeletal system performs one of the main functions in the human body. It is the support for all organs. The condition of bones plays an important role in this. When there are malfunctions in the joints, the spine, frequent fractures occur, then the quality of life of a person is significantly reduced. One such disease, which is often accompanied by similar symptoms, is osteoporosis.

If you turn to a doctor in time, then there is an opportunity to significantly improve the patient's condition. Currently, bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis. These drugs can give hope for recovery. Let's see what kind of medicines these are.

What are bisphosphonates

The name of this group of drugs was due to the content of the structure of two phosphonates. The mechanism of action proved effective because of its great similarity with pyrophosphonates, which have a large effect on the regulation of calcium content in the bones.

Having a similar structure, bisphosphonates inhibit enzymes that could utilize pyrophosphonates. They seem to bind calcium ions and draw them back into bone tissue.

The positive side of taking such drugs is that preparations containing bisphosphonates have only a selective effect on the bone system, where calcium accumulation takes place.

Because of this action in the treatment of osteoporosis, it is possible to prevent the loss of calcium and phosphorus, which has a positive effect on treatment.

Varieties of bisphosphonates

Many still do not know about bisphosphonates. What it is? At present, the third generation of this group of medicines has already been developed. Doctors continue to use the drugs of the first two generations. Now many medications basically contain bisphosphonates, they can all be divided into two large groups:

1. Simple, not containing nitrogen.
2. A group of bisphosphonates, which include nitrogen-aminobisphosphonates.
   

The difference between these two groups is that they have a different effect on osteoclasts.

Nitrogen-Containing Bisphosphonates

What it is? These products contain the following substances:

1. Ibandronic acid belongs to the third generation, it has been synthesized recently and has been used with great success to prevent osteoporosis in women, especially during the menopause.
2. Zolendronic acid selectively affects bone tissue, has a well-pronounced antitumor effect. On the basis of this substance, drugs such as "Zometa", "Zolendronate" are produced.
3. Alendronate sodium refers to non-hormonal correctors of metabolism in bone tissue, contributes to the formation of the correct bone structure.
4. Ibandronate sodium, on the basis of which they produce: Bonviva, Boniva, Bondronat, inhibits the activity of osteoclasts, but does not affect their number. These bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis are quite effective, especially as a prophylactic in menopause in women.
   

It should be borne in mind that you should not engage in self-medication, the medicine should be prescribed by a doctor.

Simple bisphosphonates

Nitrogen-free preparations of bisphosphonates in osteoporosis are also actively used. These include:

1. "Etidronate" in the form of tablets and injections. Often it is prescribed not only for osteoporosis, but also for Paget's disease, hypercalcemia, which occurs against the background of an oncological disease.
2. "Clodronate" is available in the form of capsules, tablets and solutions. Effective in osteoporosis and osteolysis.
3. "Tiludronate" is usually prescribed only to adults suffering from Paget's disease. For children it is contraindicated.
   

It is believed that these two groups of drugs have different effects on the female and male body, that's why for the beautiful ladies the drugs containing nitrogen are better suited. In any case, the choice should only be made by your doctor.

The effectiveness of drugs for various diseases

There is a whole list of diseases in which bisphosphonate therapy can have a positive effect.

1. Osteoporosis.
2. Myeloma.
3. Deforming osteodystrophy.
4. Primary hyperparathyroidism.
5. Disturbance of the process of formation of bone tissue.
6. With metastases in the bones.

For each of these diseases, only the doctor prescribes the drug, its dosage and the duration of use. Doing self-medication, you can only harm the body.

Mechanism of action

Since bisphosphonate preparations for osteoporosis find the greatest application, it is necessary to find out the mechanism of their action.

All cells of our body are periodically updated, the same can be said about bone tissue. In her equilibrium is maintained with the help of osteoblasts, which are responsible for the synthesis of new tissue, as well as osteoclasts responsible for its destruction. So, BF somehow miraculously inhibit the work of osteoclasts, and in some cases even trigger the mechanism of their self-destruction.

It is worth saying that at the present time, scientists have not been able to fully understand how bisphosphonates manage to block the destruction of bone tissue. It is known only that these drugs can be combined with hydroxyapatite patches in the bones, as a result of which the bending of the bone tissue changes.

It can also be noted that if bisphosphonates have been used for the treatment of osteoporosis for a long time, then oncological diseases therapy on their basis is used relatively recently.

Bisphosphonates in metastases

When cancer develops , a stage occurs when cancer cells break away from their primary focus and spread throughout the body. In a new place, they attach and begin to expand, forming metastases.

Bone tissue is constantly updated, so the probability of infection with hematogenous increases. When cancer cells enter the bone marrow, they disrupt the normal interaction between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which leads to incorrect development of bone tissue.

Since it is difficult to determine the presence of metastases, since in the first stages this process proceeds practically without symptoms, then oncologists should undergo a thorough examination to identify secondary foci.

Among all the methods of treatment for metastases, bisphosphonates are widely used. These drugs are easily tolerated by patients, they rarely give side effects.

They can be combined with radiation and chemotherapy. With the use of such drugs, a decrease in the incidence of metastasis in the bone tissue in breast cancer, as well as myeloma, was revealed .

When hypercalcemia develops, which is practically the norm in cancer diseases, the most effective drugs are injections and injections. An excellent result showed such means as "Zolendronic acid", "Pamidronate". A few days after the start of treatment, the tests show a normalization of the calcium content in the blood, and the effect can last up to several days.

Special recommendations for the use of bisphosphonates

If you have not heard about bisphosphonates, what is it, the doctor will tell you. The intake of these drugs should be carried out according to certain rules:

• Take medication after waking up, at least an hour before meals.
• Wash down with plenty of water.
• Do not use for liquids other liquids, for example, juice, tea, coffee. They interfere with the absorption of bisphosphonates.
• After consuming the pill, you can not lie down, you need about one and a half hours to be in an upright position, so that the effect on the esophagus is minimal.
• It is not recommended to combine BF with calcium, magnesium, iron and aluminum.

If you comply with all these recommendations, the use of bisphosphonates will not bring unwanted side effects.

Bisphosphonates in osteoporosis: the pros and cons

In the treatment, bisphosphonates from osteoporosis are widely used. The drugs are equally successful in both men and women. The main advantages of these medicines include:

• Do not contain hormones.
• Do not contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
• Malignant tumors with BF do not progress.

But in any barrel of honey you can always find a fly in the ointment. Bisphosphonates, despite their effectiveness in the treatment of osteoporosis, are far from perfect. Excessive enthusiasm for their reception can give the following side effects:

• Negatively affect the liver and kidneys.
• If administered intravenously, it is likely the development of hypocalcemia.
• An ulcer of the esophagus or stomach may occur.
• Appear rashes on the body.
• Some have general weakness, malaise and nausea.
• Muscle pain.
• Problems with eyesight.
• Diarrhea or diarrhea.
  

It can not be asserted that all these undesirable effects will necessarily appear in every patient, but it is necessary to know about them. If you are prescribed bisphosphonates, what is it, the doctor will explain, he will select the dosage of the drug and the duration of treatment.

Such medications are quite effective in the treatment of osteoporosis, as well as other diseases. Before appointing a medicine, the doctor will certainly conduct a checkup to find out the state of metabolism in bone tissue and homeostasis of calcium, so do not prescribe yourself drugs of this group.

In order not to resort to the help of drug therapy, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, follow all the recommendations of doctors, eat right. Only in this case your bone system will be in order.