Alendronate/vitamin D3 70 mg/2800 IU with and without additional 2800 IU vitamin D3 for osteoporosis: results from the 24-week extension of a 15-week randomized, controlled trial.

Author(s): Binkley N, Ringe JD, Reed JI, Ljunggren O, Holick MF, Minne HW, Liu M, Lamotta A, West JA, Santora AC

Affiliation(s): University of Wisconsin-Madison, Osteoporosis Clinical Center and Research Program, 2870 University Avenue, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53705, USA. nbinkley@wisc.edu

Publication date & source: 2009-04, Bone., 44(4):639-47. Epub 2008 May 15.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Although vitamin D supplementation is a fundamental part of osteoporosis treatment, many patients do not regularly take adequate amounts. A once-weekly (OW) alendronate (ALN) preparation that includes 2800 IU of vitamin D3 in a single combination tablet (ALN+D2800) is available for treating patients and ensuring intake of vitamin D that is consistent with existing guidelines. This randomized, double-blind study extension was conducted to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ALN+D2800 and ALN+D2800 plus an additional 2800 IU vitamin D3 single tablet supplement (ALN+D5600) administered for 24 weeks in men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis previously treated OW for 15 weeks with either ALN or ALN+D2800. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who developed hypercalciuria (defined as a 24-hour urine calcium >300 mg in women or >350 mg in men and an increase of >25% versus randomization baseline) at week 39. The key secondary endpoint was the proportion of participants with vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D <15 ng/mL [37.4 nmol/L]) at the end of the study. Hypercalciuria incidence (4.2% [ALN+D5600] vs. 2.8% [ALN+D2800]), did not differ between groups (p = 0.354). No participants developed hypercalcemia. Among the participants with vitamin D insufficiency at the week 0 baseline, the prevalence of insufficiency at the end of the study was reduced by 92% in the ALN+D5600 group and by 86% in the ALN+D2800 group. The incidences of clinical adverse experiences, including drug-related adverse experiences, were similar in both groups. In subjects previously treated with ALN+D2800 for 15 weeks, the addition of 2800 IU D3 for 24 weeks did not produce hypercalcemia nor increase the risk of hypercalciuria.