Does the combination of alendronate and parathyroid hormone give a greater benefit than either agent alone in osteoporosis?

Abstract

In osteoporosis, both the bisphosphonate alendronate and parathyroid hormone_(1–34) (PTH_(1–34)) have been shown to reduce the incidence of fractures. As bisphosphonates and PTH have different mechanisms, it has been proposed that their effects in osteoporosis may be additive. However, a major clinical trial of PTH_(1–84) and alendronate in postmenopausal women demonstrated that their effects were not additive. A further trial in men with osteoporosis showed that alendronate impaired the ability of PTH_(1–34) to increase bone mineral density. The combination of alendronate and PTH does not have greater benefit than either agent alone, and may even be detrimental, thus should not be used.

• alendronate
• bone mineral density
• clinical trial
• osteoporosis
• parathyroid hormone