Oral ibandronate: a less frequently administered therapeutic option for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a severe condition, associated with significant disability as a result of fragility fractures and increased mortality. Oral bisphosphonates effectively reduce the risk of osteoporotic fracture and are generally well tolerated. Unfortunately, patient outcomes are often compromised by suboptimal therapeutic adherence. In other disease areas, reduced dosing frequency has been shown to improve therapeutic adherence. A positive impact for adherence has been observed with a reduction in the bisphosphonate dosing frequency from daily to weekly. However, overall adherence remains suboptimal. Ibandronate is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate specifically designed for less frequent than weekly administration, without compromise for efficacy or tolerability. This article reviews the pharmacology, efficacy and tolerability of oral ibandronate when administered with extended dosing intervals in postmenopausal osteoporosis.