Osteoporosis Drugs Increase Risk for Hear...( Irregular Heartbeat Is Side Effect...)

Irregular Heartbeat Is Side Effect of Common Osteoporosis Medications

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- People who take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis may be at risk for serious atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeats, according to a new study. The research, presented at CHEST 2008, the 74th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows that people taking alendronate or zoledronic acid, two common medications to prevent or slow the occurrence of osteoporosis, were significantly more likely to experience serious AF, including hospitalization or death, compared with placebo.

"Atrial fibrillation can be serious if it is persistent or occurs in people with preexisting heart disease or hypertension," said Jennifer Miranda, MD, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. "If left untreated, it can lead to pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, or the formation of a blood clot that can cause a brain embolism and stroke."

In a metaanalysis, Dr. Miranda and colleagues from the University of Miami evaluated the relationship between the use of bisphosphonates and AF, a condition that can produce a wide range of symptoms, including light-headedness, palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath, or no symptoms at all. Three studies met eligibility criteria and included a total of 16,322 patients, of whom 76 to 100 percent were women using bisphosphonates for osteoporosis with a mean age range 69 to 75 years. Patients in the study were taking alendronate or zoledronic acid. The analysis showed that 2.5 to 3 percent of patients taking bisphosphonates experienced atrial fibrillation and 1 to 2 percent experienced serious AF, including hospitalization or death. Patients taking bisphosphonates were more likely to experience AF than patients receiving placebo and up to two times more likely to experience serious AF than patients receiving placebo.

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