FOSAMAX Demonstrates Greater Increases in Bone Mineral Density
Points of Interest : 2005 – FOSAMAX Demonstrates Greater Increases in Bone Mineral Density
FOSAMAX® once weekly increased bone mineral density (BMD) more than Actonel® once-a-week with similar tolerability, according to results of the FOSAMAX Actonel Comparison Trial (FACT). This is the first U.S. head-to-head study comparing FDA approved osteoporosis treatments in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
In this study, FOSAMAX provided greater increases in BMD at all sites measured as early as six months, and lowered levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover further within the normal pre-menopausal range than Actonel within three months. Reducing and stabilizing bone turnover, which leads to increased bone density, are important factors in improving bone strength in patients with osteoporosis. In the FACT trial, FOSAMAX showed greater increases in BMD at all pre-specified study endpoints compared to Actonel. Study results showed that FOSAMAX increased BMD 62 percent more than Actonel at the hip trochanter, at 12 months, the primary endpoint of the study. For other sites, FOSAMAX increased BMD 83 percent more than Actonel at the total hip, 78 percent more at the femoral neck, and 42 percent more at the lumbar spine. These differences in BMD between FOSAMAX and Actonel were statistically significant as early as six months.
FOSAMAX is the only medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of osteoporosis to reduce the risk of both spine and hip fractures in postmenopausal women. FOSAMAX is the most prescribed medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis.