Bisphosphonate holidays for low-risk patients

Based on the elevated risk over time for rare but serious adverse effects from using bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis, an industry group is offering new guidance on drug holidays for this patient population. A task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research suggests that all patients on this regimen undergo reevaluation after 3 years of I.V. therapy or 5 years of oral therapy, at which time they may be considered for a drug holiday.