Osteoporosis drugs and irregular heartbeat

[Celebration]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/10/osteoporosis-dr.html

People who take bisphosphonates, drugs that add mass to deteriorating bones, for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis may be at increased risk for atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeats, according to research presented today at a conference of the American College of Chest Physicians.

Atrial fibrillation can produce a variety of symptoms, including light-headedness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath -- or no symptoms at all. The study involved more than 16,000 women ages 69 to 75, some of whom took bisphosphonates and some of whom took a placebo. Of those who took the real drugs, 2.5% to 3% experienced irregular heartbeats. For 1% to 2% of the women who took bisphosphonates, the episode was serious, resulting in hospitalization or death, according to the study. Overall, the women taking bisphosphonates were twice as likely to suffer a serious heartbeat irregularity.

It's not the first time the association has been made between the drugs and an irregular heartbeat. A study in the May 3, 2007, New England Journal of Medicine found that while the drugs reduced the risk of fractures, the researchers noted an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation in women getting a once-yearly infusion of bisphosphonates.

In October 2007, the Food and Drug Administration said it would continue to investigate the connection, but said that the agency did not believe doctors or patients should change their prescribing patterns at that time.

At the conference, researchers urged continued studies.

[LaurenG]

1. That's a crummy side effect.

Getting old is not for the timid.

Thankfully the percentages are fairly low for serious problems.