Risedronate for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: results from recent clinical trials.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a widespread condition that affects the physical and emotional well-being of millions of women worldwide. In the clinical trials reviewed here, antiresorptive therapy using the bisphosphonate, risedronate, significantly reduced the incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, increased BMD in both early and late menopausal women, and decreased biochemical measures of bone resorption. The safety profile of risedronate appears comparable to placebo. These findings demonstrate that risedronate is effective and well tolerated for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.