Women past menopause can protect themselves from future fractures through infrequent, cheap IV infusions of a bone-strengthening drug.
Women 50 to 60 who got two IV infusions of zoledronate (Reclast) within five years had a 44% lower risk of spinal fractures, compared to women who received a placebo, according to results published Jan. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine. [1]
Additionally, the treatment significantly lowered the risk of major osteoporosis-related fractures and fragility fractures caused by minimal trauma, offering a promising and affordable strategy for osteoporosis prevention. [2]
The results show that prevention of vertebral fractures in early postmenopausal women is possible with very infrequent infusions of zoledronate.Dr. Mark Bolland, Associate Professor of Medicine, University, Auckland in New Zealand
"The cost of the treatment, either to individual patients or to health systems, is likely to be low because the drug is generic and the frequency of administration low,” the team added.
At menopause, women have a 50% lifetime risk of suffering from a fracture, particularly as their bones grow thin and frail through the aging process, researchers said in background notes. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, bone density decreases, increasing the likelihood of breaks. While zoledronate has long been used to treat osteoporosis, its effectiveness as a preventive measure in women with normal or near-normal bone density has not been fully explored until now.
While zoledronate has long been used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, but it hadn’t been tested to see if early treatment could prevent bone loss in early postmenstrual women, even those with good bone density at the outset, researchers said.
According to a study involving over 1,000 women aged 50 to 60, those who received two IV infusions of zoledronate over five years experienced a 44% reduction in spinal fractures, a 40% decrease in major fractures related to osteoporosis, and a 28% lower risk of fragility fractures caused by minimal trauma. The treatment, administered at the start of the study and five years later, was followed for ten years, showing significant benefits in fracture prevention. [2]
Early postmenopausal women who wish to reduce their risk of fracture could consider a strategy involving the administration of zoledronate either every 5 years or every 10 years.Dr. Mark Bolland, Associate Professor of Medicine, University, Auckland in New Zealand
An editorial accompanying the study said that infrequent zoledronate infusions present “a real opportunity” to help many women avoid fractures.
In addition, infrequent doses of generic zoledronate, as used in this trial, will result in a low cumulative dose and minimize both the costs and the side effects of treatment,” Chapurlat concluded.
Comprehensive Bone Health Management
While zoledronate provides significant benefits, a comprehensive approach to bone health includes:
Sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake to maintain bone density and overall skeletal health.
Regular weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, or resistance training to strengthen bones and improve balance.
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as both can weaken bones and increase fracture risk.
Routine bone density screenings to monitor bone health and detect early signs of osteoporosis, allowing timely intervention.
References:
1. Bolland MJ, Nisa Z, Mellar A, Chiara Gasteiger, Pinel V, Borislav Mihov, et al. Fracture Prevention with Infrequent Zoledronate in Women 50 to 60 Years of Age. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Jan 15;392(3):239–48.
2. Thompson D. Drug Lowers Fracture Risk in Early Postmenopausal Women [Internet]. Healthday.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/bone-and-joint/drug-lowers-fracture-risk-in-early-postmenopausal-women.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sampath Priya Baandhavi/MSM)