Ibandronate: a review of its vertebral and nonvertebral antifracture efficacy

After the Ibandronate Osteoporosis Vertebral Fracture Trial in North America and Europe (BONE) study had demonstrated the strong vertebral and nonvertebral antifracture efficacy of daily and intermittent oral ibandronate, the Monthly Oral Ibandronate In Ladies (MOBILE) study gave evidence for an increased efficacy on the bone mineral density (BMD) of higher intermittent oral ibandronate doses (150 mg monthly) compared with 2.5 mg daily. The BONE study also observed nonvertebral antifracture efficacy in patients with a high risk for fractures (mean femoral neck T score of -3.0 or less). A recently published meta-analysis assessing the nonvertebral antifracture efficacy corresponding to the annual cumulative exposure (ACE) of ibandronate demonstrated a significantly better antifracture efficacy of higher compared with lower doses of ibandronate. The Dosing Intravenous Administration (DIVA) study demonstrated evidence for the high efficacy and good tolerability of intravenous ibandronate delivered by quarterly injections. This review summarizes the efficacy and tolerability data of ibandronate concerning monthly oral treatment as well as quarterly injection therapy.