This study will evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of odanacatib on bone mineral density in osteoporotic postmenopausal women who were previously treated with alendronate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• In good general health, and postmenopausal for at least 5 years or more
• Diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis
• Currently taking alendronate for at least 3 years or more for the treatment of osteoporosis
• One hip free of orthopedic hardware (ie, total hip device, hip pin); anatomy is suitable to undergo a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan (ie, bone mineral density scan)
• Agrees to not to use any other medications for the treatment of osteoporosis except those provided to the participant during the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of metabolic bone disorder
• History of malignancy (cancer) for 5 years or less
• Active thyroid disease that cannot be managed with medication
• Severe renal insufficiency (kidney disease), myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke or revascularization, untreated malabsorption syndrome, and/or osteonecrosis of the jaw, or anticipates undergoing a major dental procedure (e.g. dental extraction or implantation)
• Use, misuse, abuse, and/or addiction of illicit drugs and/or recent history

(within the last year) of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence

• Use of estrogen with or without progestin and/or raloxifene (ie, Evista®) or tamoxifen (ie, Nolvadex®, Tamofen®)
• Use of any oral bisphosphonate therapy other than alendronate; intravenous bisphosphonates (zoledronate, ibandronate, pamidronate); any form of calcitonin other than intranasal; anabolic steroids; and/or Strontium-containing products (ie, Osteovalin™)