Biophosphonates are drugs intended to strengthen bones.  In fact they do for a while.  However, after several years the opposite seems to happen.  The following is quoted from Jenny Thompson of the Health Sciences Institute.

Dear Reader,
“I’m infuriated. I’m beyond livid! All because of one word, one little word -  “bisphosphonate.”.  And if you’re a woman who’s concerned about bone health, I think you’ll be angry too. We’ll start with a recent FDA announcement about bisphosphonate drugs–better known by familiar brand names such as Fosamax, Boniva, Reclast, and Actonel.  I’m sure you’re aware that this class of drugs is supposed to strengthen bones in women at risk of osteoporosis. But the fact is, these drugs are actually linked to INCREASED fracture risk.  Nevertheless, after a review of bisphosphonate studies, FDA officials announced that they could find no evidence that the drugs increase risk of fractures to the thighbone (femur) below the hip joint.Too bad those officials couldn’t make it to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans early in 2010. Because two different studies presented at that meeting completely contradict the FDA announcement.”

Results of recent research studies

In one study 112 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis one half of them were given a bisphosphonate drug. The other half were given daily calcium and vitamin D supplements. Four years later bone scans were taken of their thighbones. Results: On average, subjects in the drug group had increased buckling ratio compared to non-drug subjects. Higher buckling ratio equals higher risk of fracture.  That’s study number one.

In the second study, bone biopsies were taken from 21 post- menopausal women who had broken their femur. Twelve of the women had taken bisphosphonates for an average of more than eight years. Lead researcher, Dr. Joseph Lane of Weill Cornell Medical College, explained to Health Day News that normally about 20 percent of a bone is new, about 60 percent is middle-aged, and about 20 percent is old.

In the women taking the drugs, 90 percent of the bone was old.

Dr. Lane added that when too much of the bone is old, microdamage to the bone can’t be repaired. Dr. Lane: “What I think is happening is, women keep doing microdamage to the bone.”

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