Method for inhibiting bone resorption

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for inhibiting bone resorption in mammals while minimizing the occurrence of or potential for adverse gastrointestinal effects. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and kits for carrying out the therapeutic methods disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting bone resorption in a mammal, said method comprising orally administering to said mammal a pharmaceutically effective amount of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof as a unit dosage according to a continuous schedule having a dosing interval selected from the group consisting of once-weekly dosing, twice-weekly dosing, biweekly dosing, and twice-monthly dosing.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said dosing interval is once-weekly.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said unit dosage of said bisphosphonate comprises from about 3.5 mg to about 200 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of ibandronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said unit dosage of said bisphosphonate comprises from about 3.5 mg to about 200 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate.  
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 35 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of ibandronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 40 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of ibandronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 45 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of ibandronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof  
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 50 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of ibandronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 35 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 40 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 45 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising about 50 mg, on an acid active basis, of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims  11 - 14  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate.  
     
     
         16 . A kit for inhibiting bone resorption in a mammal, said kit comprising at least one pharmaceutically effective unit dosage of a bisphosphonate selected from the group consisting of alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or ester thereof, and mixtures thereof, for oral administration according to a continuous schedule having a dosing interval selected from the group consisting of once-weekly dosing, twice-weekly dosing, biweekly dosing, and twice-monthly dosing.