The 2 types of bone-strengthening drugs most commonly used for patients with cancer are:
- Bisphosphonates (for example, zoledronic acid (Zometa®)
- Monoclonal antibodies (for example, denosumab (Xgeva®, Prolia®)
Bone strengthening drugs can help to relieve bone pain. They can also strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
The 2 types of bone-strengthening drugs most commonly used for patients with cancer are:
Your doctor will pick the best drug for you.
Bisphosphonates are commonly given into a vein in a drip, which can take from 15 minutes up to 3 hours. The treatment may be given every 3 to 4 weeks. Some are given as an injection just below the skin (subcutaneously).
Bisphosphonates can also be given in tablet form. The tablets are taken daily or weekly and are best absorbed on an empty stomach. Certain medications such as antibiotics can affect how they are absorbed. It is important to get instructions from your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
If you have been prescribed bone-strengthening drugs to strengthen your bones or reduce pain for metastatic cancer, your doctor will decide how long you should continue to take them for, based on how well they are working.
If you are taking a medication to improve bone strength while on hormone therapy for cancer, you may be advised to take it for a number of years.
If you are prescribed bone-strengthening drugs with other treatments such as chemotherapy or as part of a clinical trial, treatment may be for a shorter time.
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