A report on Bisphosphonate and Raloxifene

The general chemical structure of bisphosphonate The R-groups determine the chemical properties of the drug, and distinguishes individual types of bisphosphonates. This chemical structure affords a high affinity for calcium hydroxyapatite, allowing for rapid and specific skeletal targeting.
A bottle of raloxifene.
HMG-CoA reductase pathway

For osteoporosis it is less preferred than bisphosphonates.

- Raloxifene

In postmenopausal women, the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene is occasionally administered instead of bisphosphonates.

- Bisphosphonate
The general chemical structure of bisphosphonate The R-groups determine the chemical properties of the drug, and distinguishes individual types of bisphosphonates. This chemical structure affords a high affinity for calcium hydroxyapatite, allowing for rapid and specific skeletal targeting.

2 related topics with Alpha

Overall
Elderly woman with osteoporosis showing a curved back from compression fractures of her back bones.

Osteoporosis

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Systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk.

Systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk.

Elderly woman with osteoporosis showing a curved back from compression fractures of her back bones.
Illustration depicting normal standing posture and osteoporosis
Progression of the shape of vertebral column with age in osteoporosis
Bone density peaks at about 30 years of age. Women lose bone mass more rapidly than men.
The body regulates calcium homeostasis with two pathways; one is signaled to turn on when blood calcium levels drop below normal and one is the pathway that is signaled to turn on when blood calcium levels are elevated.
Osteoporosis locations
Multiple osteoporotic wedge fractures demonstrated on a lateral thoraco-lumbar spine X-ray
Age-standardised hip fracture rates in 2012.
Light micrograph of an osteoclast displaying typical distinguishing characteristics: a large cell with multiple nuclei and a "foamy" cytosol.
Light micrograph of osteoblasts, several displaying a prominent Golgi apparatus, actively synthesizing osteoid containing two osteocytes.
Collapse of vertebra on the right, normal on the left

Bisphosphonate medications are useful to decrease future broken bones in those with previous broken bones due to osteoporosis.

Raloxifene, while effective in decreasing vertebral fractures, does not affect the risk of nonvertebral fracture.

A scanner used to measure bone density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

Bone density

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Amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.

Amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.

A scanner used to measure bone density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
Illustration of Bone Densitometry Scan

Other therapies, such as estrogens (e.g., estradiol, conjugated estrogens), selective estrogen receptor modulators (e.g., raloxifene, bazedoxifene), and bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronic acid, risedronic acid), can also be used to improve or maintain bone density.