Denosumab vs. Ibandronate: Which Works Better?

Although an estimated one in two white women in the U.S. will experience a lifetime osteoporosis-related fracture, failure to adhere to bisphosphonate therapy is common. New pharmacologic therapies provide extended dosing regimens and delivery systems designed to improve efficacy and maintain adherence. One such agent, denosumab (a monoclonal antibody that inhibits bone resorption) has proved effective for preventing fractures (JW Womens Health Aug 11 2009).

In an open-label trial involving 833 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67) with low bone-mineral density (BMD) who had used bisphosphonate therapy previously, investigators compared the efficacy of denosumab and ibandronate (an oral bisphosphonate). Participants were randomized to receive …