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The bisphosphonate drug zoledronic acid (Zometa) is approved for treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy and cancer-related bone complications. Like alendronate and risedronate, this drug also should preserve or increase bone-mineral density (BMD) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis; unlike the other 2 drugs, zoledronic acid is given intravenously and can be dosed infrequently.
In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, manufacturer-supported study, researchers administered zoledronic acid or placebo to 316 women (mean age, 64) whose lumbar spine BMD was at least 2 standard deviations below the young-adult mean. Women received intravenous zoledronic acid every 3 months (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg), every 6 months (2 mg), or one time…