Bisphosphonates: bone, muscle and joint pain

1) Comparative trials and reports by healthcare professionals show that severe and sometimes incapacitating muscle, joint and bone pain can occur days, months or years after beginning long-term oral bisphosphonate therapy. Patients treated for osteoporosis are particularly at risk; 2) This type of pain affects between 2% and 5% of patients, especially those taking an oral bisphosphonate once a week; 3) The role of a bisphosphonate should be considered when a patient presents with musculoskeletal pain. Discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy can be tried and may represent a better option than escalation of analgesic therapy.