Identification
Reclast is also known by its most active ingredient, zoledronic acid, and is one of several bisphosphonates that are prescribed to treat osteoporosis, primarily in post-menopausal women but also in men.
Expert Insight
Despite the success Reclast has shown in reducing fractures and deaths, specialists emphasize that proper levels of calcium and vitamin D in the diet are essential for optimal performance of the drug.
Function
Reclast assists bones in retaining protein but bones remain weak until calcium combines with that protein. Vitamin D is important in the process because it helps the body absorb calcium.
Warning
Still a relatively new drug on the market, some doctors recommend that Reclast only be prescribed if a patient has adverse reactions to medications that have been in use for more than a decade and are free from Reclast's side effects. Additionally, patients with severe kidney problems are advised not to use the drug.
Effects
Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), negative side effects reported from use of Reclast include atrial fibrillation, osteonecrosis, renal impairment and severe bone, joint or muscle pain.
Theories/Speculation
Some researchers find that Reclast's negative side effects in osteoporosis cases pale in comparison to those experienced by cancer patients who receive much higher dosages of the medication. Benefits of having one annual treatment along with reductions in risks for spinal and hip fractures are viewed as far outweighing any risk of negative reactions.
History
Reclast was approved for use by the FDA in 2007, the same year Novartis Pharmaceuticals, the drug's manufacturer, funded a study that showed favorable results and the benefits of Reclast as a treatment for osteoporosis.
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