Abstract
Intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases bone formation and has anabolic skeletal effects. Treatment with full-length PTH (1–84) at a dose of 100 µg/day by subcutaneous injection for 18 months, increases lumbar spine and proximal femur bone mineral density and reduces vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Concomitant treatment with alendronate does not improve, and may attenuate, its beneficial effects, however, administration of alendronate after withdrawal of PTH (1–84) therapy maintains the beneficial effects on bone mineral density. Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria may occur with PTH (1–84) treatment and monitoring is required during the first 6 months of treatment. PTH (1–84) provides an additional option for the prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women, particularly those with severe vertebral osteoporosis.
Financial disclosure
JEC has received research grants from Procter & Gamble and Servier.
Conflict of interest
JEC has served on advisory boards for Proctor & Gamble, Servier, Nycomed, Shire and Crescent Diagnostics and is a member of the speaker’s bureau for Proctor & Gamble, Nycomed, Servier, Shire and Eli Lilly. She serves on DSMBs for Novartis and Amgen and has served as an expert witness in medicolegal and patent disputes.