T
he pharmaceutical Merrion Pharmaceuticals announced the positive results of a study on the comfort and respect for patients taking alendronate, a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis prevention and osteoporosis treatments, severe bone disease that occurs primarily in women after menopause.The study, conducted among postmenopausal women, compared the absorption of a dose of 6 mg of MER 103 (new formulation of oral alendronate sodium) administered to patients volunteers in three different conditions : taken on an empty stomach, during a meal with a high lipid content, and at bedtime, another medication dosage to 35 mg administered on an empty stomach as indicated on the label.
According to the release, "In practice, these data indicate that a weekly dose of 6 mg SEA 103 would bioequivalente a weekly dose of 70 mg" of the osteoporosis drug with which this new osteoporosis treatments was compared.
The subjects who received MER 103 at bedtime, approximately 4 hours after the evening meal, absorbed the same amount of alendronate as they took the medicine after fasting for one night.
The subjects were given instructions to lie down for at least 2 hours after taking the osteoporosis drug rather than to stand as dosage instructions for bisphosphonates administered orally placed on the market.
There has been no serious adverse reactions or clinically important in this experimental group.
"The results of this trial are very encouraging. The combination of improved bioavailability and the elimination of the ritual of morning dose responds directly to two major restrictions bisphosphonates administered orally.
Respect for the ritual of morning dosage is a major issue in osteoporosis treatments,"said Michael McKenna, CEO of Merrion.
Recall that osteoporosis is a bone lesion characterized by the weakening of bones leading to increased risk of fracture. It is a major cause of disability and mortality. According to data of this laboratory, 33% of females and 20% of men aged over 50 will suffer a fractured hip, spine or wrist in their lifetime.
Bisphosphonates are the class of drugs most frequently prescribed for the osteoporosis prevention and osteoporosis treatments.
