Osteoporosis Prevention With Low Dose Alendronate

Prevention of Postmenopausal Bone Loss in Osteopenic Women With Alendronate Given on a 70 mg Once-every Two Week Regimen: a 2-year, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the intermittent administration of alendronate in a low dose, 70 mg once every two week, as osteoporosis prevention for menopausal, osteopenic patients, who don't want or can't receive an oestrogenic substitution treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 45 to 60 year-old women
• Menopausal since at least 6 months
• Baseline lumbar BMD from -1 till -2.5

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bone disease other than osteopenia
• Treatment with selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERMs), calcitonin or hormone replacement therapy within 6 monts prior to randomization
• Former or current treatment with any bisphosphonate or bone forming agents
• Chronic use of oral or iv corticosteroids
• Any diagnosis of malignancy less than 12 months