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In this 12-month, industry-sponsored, placebo-controlled clinical trial, investigators at 24 centers in 10 countries assessed the effect of 5 intravenous (IV) regimens of the potent bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (FDA-approved for the treatment of bone metastases in cancer patients) on BMD and on markers of bone turnover in 351 postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Exclusion criteria included recent use of estrogen therapy, previous use of bisphosphonate therapy, and secondary osteoporosis. All but 2 women were white, and none had previously experienced vertebral fractures. Women were randomized to receive IV placebo or IV zoledronic acid: Active-treatment regimens included 4 doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1.0 mg at 3-month in…