Etridronate therapy in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Etidronate disodium is an oral bisphosphonate compound known to reduce bone resorption through the inhibition of osteoclastic activity. This article is a review of its efficacy and safety in the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal and corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. In general, studies of cyclical etidronate therapy (400 mg daily for 2 wk every 3 mo) have found a significant improvement in bone density. These studies have not been …