Therapeutics Letter #78 summarized the findings from a review by an independent Spanish bulletin under the title “Bisphosphonates: Do they prevent or cause bone fractures?”^₁ In this Letter we report the findings of our own systematic review of the randomized controlled trial evidence of the benefits and harms of bisphosphonates.

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy of alendronate (Fosamax®), etidronate (Didronel®, Didrocal®) and risedronate (Actonel®) for primary and secondary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women.