Expert: Thomas M. Manger, MD, PhD - 8/8/2004

Question
My doctor has suggested that I change from daily Actonel  to once a week Foxamax. ( I was diagnosed with mild osteoporosis a year ago and  I have lost 1/4 inch in height in the year I have been taking Actonel.)

I don't understand how once a week can be as good for my bones as daily. He says the once a week pill releases slowly into my system, but I don't understand how a pill can time release for a week. Can you help me understand?

Answer
The weekly effect on the bone is the same as daily dosing, so there is really no advantage to dosing once a day.  It is not necessarily how long the drug lasts is in the blood, but how long the drug effects the bone.

There is also a newer agent that must be given IV that can be dosed YEARLY!

This is an excellent site that may help with additional questions:

http://www.nof.org/patientinfo/medications.htm