Alendronate for osteoporosis. Safe and efficacious nonhormonal therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence concerning alendronate (Fosamax) therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: The efficacy of alendronate for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis was primarily demonstrated by two primary phase III clinical trials, three other 2-year trials, and one 3-year trial. All six trials were randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials; 3854 postmenopausal women were studied. The Fracture …