Strontium ranelate: state of the art.

Strontium ranelate is a new antiosteoporotic treatment that has an original mechanism of action on bone turnover. Preclinical studies have shown that strontium ranelate decreases bone resorption and increases bone formation, resulting in an increase in bone mass. In Phase III studies in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, strontium ranelate (2 g/day) reduced the risk of vertebral fracture by 41% (p </= 0.001) and the risk of nonvertebral fracture by 16% (p = 0.04) over 3 years. Strontium ranelate safety was considered to be good. Strontium ranelate 2 g/day is a new and effective therapeutic option in postmenopausal osteoporosis.