Intravenous Bisphosphonates: Clinical Flowchart for long term treatment and monitoring

Introduction:

Plan to prescribe intravenous bisphosphonate (i.e., zoledronate/zoledronic acid) for at least 3 years and then re-assess fracture risk. Longer durations of treatment, for at least 6 years, are recommended in the following men and women:

    • Age ≥70 years at the time that the bisphosphonate is started
    • Who have a previous history of a hip or vertebral fracture(s)
    • Treated with oral glucocorticoids ≥7.5 mg prednisolone/day or equivalent
    • Who experience one or more fragility fractures during the first 3 years of treatment (if treatment is not changed).

If a new fracture occurs after zoledronate treatment is discontinued, reassess using FRAX and restart treatment.

If zoledronate treatment is discontinued (treatment pause/break) and no new fracture occurs, reassess using FRAX after 3 years to inform whether treatment should be restarted.

Resource:

Related Information:

Link:

https://www.nogg.org.uk/full-guideline/section-7-strategies-management-osteoporosis-and-fracture-risk (Figure 5)

 

Reference:

National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) UK. Clinical Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, https://www.nogg.org.uk/full-guideline (2021, accessed 28 March 2024).