Three‐monthly ibandronate bolus injection offers favourable tolerability and sustained efficacy advantage over two years in established corticosteroid‐induced osteoporosis

Objective. Corticosteroids are widely prescribed, although treatment‐related side‐effects are common. Of these adverse events (AEs), osteoporosis is considered the most serious. Currently, oral bisphosphonates are the standard treatment for corticosteroid‐induced osteoporosis (CIO). However, intermittent intravenous (i.v.) therapy may have advantages, including lack of gastrointestinal AEs, improved bioavailability and increased compliance. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of 3‐monthly i.v. ibandronate bolus injections in patients with established CIO. The results from a planned 2‐yr interim analysis are reported. Method. In this controlled, prospective, open‐label, parallel‐group study, 104 patients (49 men and 55 women) with established CIO (mean T‐score