New Study Shows Drug Given Every 18 Months Lowers Risk of Fractures in Older Women

A new study found that the bone-strengthening drug Reclast greatly lowered the risk of fractures in older women when administered through an IV every 18 months. This is encouraging news for older women because they are at greater risk of broken bones, such as hip fractures that can lead to serious physical decline.

The study found that after six years, 122 women who took the drug suffered a broken bone, compared to 190 who were given a placebo. That is a 37 percent lower risk for those on the drug compared to those who took a placebo. The drug also lowered the risk of vertebral fracture by half.

The study consisted of a group of 2,000 women with an average age of 71 who had moderate bone loss. One quarter of these women had previously had a fracture.

The study was led by a doctor from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. The results of his study were reported on Monday at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dangers of Drugs Like Reclast

Reclast is part of a group of drugs called bisphosphonates, which are recommended for people with osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to be severely brittle.

However, in this study, patients who did not have osteoporosis were given Reclast and it helped to strengthen their bones.

Despite this positive result, there are still concerns about rare side effects from bisphosphonates, including deterioration of the jawbone and unusual fractures of the legs. These things did not occur in the study, but the study was not large enough to rule out these risks.

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Fractures are common injuries in nursing homes because residents often have brittle bones. These injuries can be prevented if staff members are cautious and help residents with walking or getting up when they need it.

If your loved one suffered a broken bone due to nursing home negligence, you may have grounds for a nursing home abuse claim. Contact our Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers today for a free, no obligation consultation.

Our attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no legal fees unless you receive compensation.

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