[Risedronate for treatment of osteoporosis].

Risedronate is effective and approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan. Risedronate decreases strongly bone resorption and turnover via a potent inhibitory action on osteoclasts. Risedronate was shown to significantly decrease the risk of nonvertebral fractures including hip fractures as well as vertebral fractures in placebo-controlled, 3-year clinical trials in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The efficacy of risedronate elucidated by recent clinical studies was reviewed.