Monthly Drug for Osteoporosis Approved

For postmenopausal women

FRIDAY, March 25 (HealthDay News) -- A once-a-month pill to combat the bone-weakening condition osteoporosis was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Boniva (ibandronate sodium), produced and sold by drugmakers GlaxoSmithKline and Roche, is the first monthly bone density-building drug, the companies said in a statement. They estimate that some 44 million Americans over age 50 -- mostly women -- are at risk for the disease.

The bone-weakening effects of osteoporosis can lead to severe pain, fractures, deformity, hospitalization, and even death, the companies said.

The safety and effectiveness of Boniva were established during clinical trials involving 1,602 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, the companies said. The most common side effects included high blood pressure, abdominal pain, upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea.

The prescription medication is expected to be available in the United States sometime in April, the drugmakers said.

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