Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are drugs that in certain situations can help to protect your bones against some of the effects of cancer, such as pain and weakness.

What are bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates are drugs that help to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of a bone breaking (fracture). They can help relieve bone pain and may be used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).

You may have this type of drug:

if your cancer treatment causes bone thinning (osteoporosis). For example, if you are having treatment that causes early menopause or hormone therapy for prostate cancer
to treat bone problems caused by secondary bone cancer
to prevent or treat bone damage caused by myeloma
to lower the risk of early breast cancer spreading to the bone.

There are different types of bisphosphonates. We have more information about the most common types below. The one you have will depend on your general health and the type of cancer you have.

Zoledronic acid

Zoledronic acid is a type of bisphosphate that is given by a drip (infusion). It can be used to:

help protect the bones from the effects of some treatments for early breast cancer
reduce the risk of early breast cancer coming back – this is called adjuvant treatment
educe a raised calcium level in the blood caused by cancer that has spread to the bones
treat bone weakness or pain caused by myeloma or by breast cancer that has spread to the bones.

Pamidronate

Pamidronate (Aredia^®) is a type of bisphosphate that is given by a drip (infusion). It can be used to treat:

high levels of calcium in the blood caused by cancer that has spread to the bones
bone weakness or pain caused by myeloma or by breast cancer that has spread to the bones.

Ibandronic acid

Ibandronic acid is a type of bisphosphate that is given by drip (infusion) or as a tablet. It can be used to treat:

high levels of calcium in the blood caused by cancer that has spread to the bones
bone weakness or pain caused by breast cancer that has spread to the bones.

Clodronate

Clodronate is a type of bisphosphate that you take as capsules or tablets. It can be used to treat:

high levels of calcium in the blood caused by cancer that has spread to the bones
bone weakness or pain caused by myeloma or breast cancer that has spread to the bones.