Minodronate Osteoporosis

Minodronate Osteoporosis drug from Japan For some time researchers have known that this drug increased bone density but there was a lack of research as to whether or not it really reduced the risk of fractures. But Japanese researchers have found that daily does of this bisphosophante reduces spinal fractures.

The first time I read about this drug and its effect on spinal Osteoporosis was in 2009 when "Effect of daily oral minodronate on vertebral fractures in Japanese postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study" was published by by T. Matsumoto,corresponding author H. Hagino, M. Shiraki, M. Fukunaga, T. Nakano, K. Takaoka,6 H. Morii, Y. Ohashi, and T. Nakamura.

Summary of the Mindronate Osteoporosis study 2009:  A randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of daily oral 1 mg minodronate on vertebral fractures in 704 postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis for 24 months.

Minodronate treatment reduced vertebral fractures by 59% without serious adverse events. So the authors concluded that Minodronate is a safe and effective bisphosphonate for spinal osteoporosis treatment.

You can read the full study at: Mindronate Osteoporosis study 2009

 Minodronate Osteoporosis study -2012

A second Minodronate Osteoporosis study was published in 2012.  This study was a continuation of an earlier one. 

" In the patients who received minodronate in the original 2-year study, lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) increased consistently during year 3 and bone turnover markers decreased within the first 6 months and remained constant thereafter over 3 years. Similar positive effects of minodronate on BMD and bone turnover markers occurred when therapy was initiated in the placebo/minodronate group.

No new safety concerns observed during the extension period compared to the safety observations made during the 2-year study.

The researchers concluded that "daily administration of 1 mg oral minodronate is safe and well tolerated, and that the efficacy of this dose in reducing vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women over 2 years is sustained with continuing treatment. "

Side effects

In 2013 researchers published another study. This one had to do with side effects of Mindronate Osteoporosis.  The researchers compared the side effects of this drug with the side effects of Zolendronate/Zometa

They concluded that: " Minodronate's anti-bone-resorptive effect and its inflammatory and necrotic effects were as great as, or greater than those of zoledronate. Moreover, in cultured human periodontal ligament cells, the cytotoxicity of minodronate was significantly greater than that of zoledronate. These results suggest that caution may be needed with minodronate in clinical use, as with other N-BPs. (Italics mine)

So once again we find that although  pharmeceutical bisphosphonates increase bone density, their side effects are very serious.

Of course you will follow  the advice of your health care provider. Still you may want to check out some of the many natural ways to increase bone density and reverse Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

If you read the information about Natural treatments, I suggest that you read ALL the possibilities open to you.  Then review them in light of the particular CAUSES of your bone loss.  In some cases you will see that some natural treatments effect specific causes - others are less specified.  Plan accordingly and of course consult with your medical provider (You may find it helpful to print out the scientific studies for her/his review.)

Go to: Causes of Bone loss